THE 

WILLIAM  R.  PERKINS 

LIBRARY 

OF 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


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BETTERS 

TO       A 

YOUNG        L    A    D     Ty 

ON      A      VARIETY      OF 

USEFUL    and    INTERESTING    SUBJECTS: 

CALCULATED    TO 

IMPROVE    THE    HEART,     FORM    THE    MANNERS, 

AND 

ENLIGHTEN  the  UNDERSTANDING. 

"  That  our  Daughters  may  be  as  poll/bed  corners  of  the  Temple." 

BY      THE 

Rev.      JOHN  BENNET, 

AUTHOR  OF  STRICTURES  ON  FEMALE  EDUCATION. 

JNTWO     VOLUMES. 

VOL.     I. 

tN   E    W   B    U    R    T   P    0    R    T: 

> 

PRINTED    AND    SOLD    BY    JOHN    MYCAL1, 


t.k 


ADVERTISEMENT. 


T 


HE  following  Letters  have  long  lain  by  the 
author,  in  a  ft  ate  of  negletl  \  indeed  of  uncertain- 
ty, whether  the  publication  of  them  would  do  any 
credit  to  him/elf  or  fervice  to  the  world. 

If  they  deferve  no  fame,  they  ought,  however, 
in  his  opinion,  to  be  branded  with  no  malignant  or 
invidious  cenfure,   as-  their  intention  is  really  to 

Jerve  the  fair  eft  and  moft  amiable  fart  of  the  cre- 
ation ;  to  roufe  young  ladies  from  a  vacant  or  iy- 

Jipid  life,  into  one  of  ufefulnefs-  and  laudable  exer- 
tion— to  recall  them  from  vifionary  novels  and  ro- 
mances,   into  folid  reading   and   refleclion — and 

from  the  criminal  abjurdities  of  fajhion,  to   the 

Jimp li city  of  nature,  and  the  dignity  of  virtue. — 
He  has  attempted  a  method  of  uniting,  in  their 
character,  the  graces  with  the  virtues ;  an  amia- 
ble heart,  with  elegant  manners,  and  an  enlight- 
ened undcrftanding  -,  and  if  he  Jhould  not  have 

Jucceeded,  he  is  by  no  means  the  firft  perfon  who 
has  misjudged  his  powers,  "  qui  magnis  excidit 
aufiSj"  and  can  reflecl  for  his  comfort,  that  lau- 
dable projects  are,  perhaps,  the  whole  that  lies 
within  the  narrow  circle,  or  the  talents  of  the  bulk* 
of  mortals. 

A2 


TABLE       OF 

CONTENTS. 

This  Work  recommends  in  the  following  Order, 

i.     RELIGIOUS  KNOWLEDGE,  with  a  Lift  of 
proper  Writers. 

I I .  Polite  Knowledge,  as  it  relates  to  the  Belles  Let- 
tres  in  general;  Epiftolary  Writing,  Hiftory,  the  Lives  of 
particular  Perfons,  Geography,  Natural  Hiftcry,  Agrono- 
my, Poetry,  Painting,  Sculpture,  Architecture;  Heraldry^ 
Voyages,  Travels,  &c.  with  a  Catalogue  of,  and  Criticifms 
upon,  the  mo  ft  approved  Authors  under  each  Article. 

III.  AccompUJhments,  as  d'/f [>layed  in  Needle -work,  Em- 
broidery, Drawing,  Mufic,  Dancing,  Drefs,  Politenf,  is'c. 

IV.  Prudential  Conduct  and  Maxims,  with  rrfpefi  ti 
Amvfements,  Love,  Courtjhip,  Marriage,  &t, 


LETTER  S,    8cc. 


LETTER      I, 

To    Miss    LUCY  

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 


HOUGH T  myfelf  have  fuftained  a  heavy  lofs 
by  the  death  of  your  excellent  mother,  who  lived  (o 
much  in  my  friendship  and  efteem,  and  by  her  letters 
and  fociety,  had  conferred  upon  me  fomeof  the  fweet- 
eft  pleafures  in  human  life,  yet  you,  alas  !  are  the  prin- 
cipal fufTerer  by  this  afflicting  difpenfation.  It  would 
give  me  the  (incercft  pleafure,  if  I  knew  how  to  allevi- 
ate your  grief,  or  afford  you  a  {ingle  moment's  confu- 
tation. 

I  need  not  preis  on  you  the  doctrines  of  religion. — 
You  have,  doubtlefs,  confidered  who  it  is,  that  has  de- 
prived you  of  this  invaluable  parent ;  a  God  of  infi- 
nite wifdom,  who  never  ftrikes,  but  at  the'  fitterl  mo- 
ment ;  a  God  of  equal  goodnefs,  who,  without  the 
ftrongeft  reafons,  would  not  airlift;  and  a  Being  of 
unbounded  power,  who  is  abundantly  able  to  make  up 
your  lofs,  and  open  to  you  a  thoufand  fources  of  com- 
fort. ,        A  i 


6  LETTERS    to   a 

Chriftianity  fhould  exclude  all  tmreafonabh  furrow. 
If  we  believe  that  our  friends  are  dead  in  God  ;  we 
know  that  this  life  is  only  a  vapour  >  that  our  fepara- 
tion  is  but  for  a  moment,  and  that  we  fhall  foon  be  re- 
stored to  them  in  a  world,  where  life  is  without  pain, 
and  where  frrendfhfp-i*  immortal. 

Though  you  are,  in  the  literal  fenfe,  an  orphan,  yet 
the  number  of  friends,  to  whom  you  are  fo  jultly  dear, 
will  render  your  fituation  neither  folitary,  nor  defence- 
lefs.  The  fenfible,  the  elegant,  and  the  good,  will 
think  themfelves  honored  by  your  acquaintance.  They 
will  give  you  credit  for  inheriting  all  the  amiable  qual- 
ities of  a  mother,  who  was  revered,  as  far  as  known, 
whilft  nature  has  fo  (trongly  imprinted,  On  your  face, 
the  refemblance  of  her  features. 

The  fcene  is  ftill  frelh  upon  my  memory,  when,  in 
her  laft  moments,  (lie  (o  ftrongly  recommended  you  to 
my  protection  :  And,  though  (he  paid  a  compliment 
to  my  abilities,  which  only  a  partial  friendlhip  could 
have  excited,  (he  did  nothing  more  than  ftrict.  juftice  to 
the  warmth  of  my  affection.  I  fhall  really  think  my- 
felf  complimented  by  your  correfpondence.  If  you 
will  call  me  father  or  brother,  you  will  give  an  unufual 
luftre  to  my  name.  This  fond  heart  fhall  vibrate  to 
your  wifhes  and  your  happinefs  :  and,  if  you  will  oc- 
cafionally  vifit  my  little  cot,  it  (hall  put  on  all  its  love- 
lier! charms,  and  fmile  in  all  its  gayeft  attire,  to  receive 
fo  dear  and  (o  amiable  a  (tranger.  The  rofes  of  my 
humble  garden  (hall,  if  poflible,  be  doubly  fweet  ;  my 
jafmines  (hall  emit  an  unufual  fragrance;  and,  if  na- 
ture will  but  obey,  I  will  order  the  general  fcenery  to  be 
delightful. 


Y  O  U  N  G     LA  D  Y.  7 

We  fhall  reap,  I  am  allured,  mutual  benefits  by  this 
acquaintance.  It'  I  am  able  to  communicate  to  you 
any  little  knowledge,  you  will  more  than  repay  it  by 
that  eaie,  delicacy,  refinement,  confidence  and  expan- 
iion,  which  the  mind  never  effectually  feels,  but  in  the 
friendship  of  a  fenfible  and  an  intcrelling  woman. — 
Such  a  friendship  is  the  richeft  cordial  of  life.  Either 
of  the  fexes,  without  it,  are  never  what  they  mould  be. 
Like  the  bell  figures,  mutilated,  they  appear  to  difad- 
vantage.  Unnatural  expedients  may  be  tried  to  fupply 
its  place.  Bufinefs,  ambition,  an  over-/irained  pru- 
dence, or  peculiar  fituations,  may  lead  us  to  deny  our- 
felves  fo  fweet  a  pleafure  ;  but,  in  fact,  all  human  pro- 
jects and  fucceffes,  are  injlpnl,  without  it.  They  are 
rofelefs  thorns,  a  winter,  without  a  fpring.  Pleafures 
have  not  their  relim,  and  forrow  wants  a  bofom  to  re- 
cline on.  Our  manners  have  not  their  proper  foftnefs  ; 
our  morals  their  purity,  and  our  fouls  feel  an  uncom- 
fortable void* 

They,  who  talk  degradingly  of  women,  do  not  know 
the  value  of  the  treafure  they  defpife.  They  have  not 
furrlcient  tafte  to  relifli  their  excellencies,  or  purity  e- 
nough  to  court  their  acquaintance.  'J 'hey  have  taken 
the  portrait  of  abandoned  women,  and  they  think  the 
features  applicable  to  all. 

The  fofter  lex,  it  is  certain,  are  exceedingly  injured 
by  their  education.  If  they  were  what  they  '/J-^n!dbcy 
they  are  thofe  lights,  in  the  piclure  of  human  life,  that 
are  intended  to  cheer  all  its  darknefs  and  its  [hades. 


8  LETTERS   to  a 

LETTER      II. 

J[  HE  education  of  women  is  unfortunately  direct- 
ed rather  to  fuch  accomplifhments,  as  will  enable  them 
to  make  a  noife,  and  fparkle  in  the  world,  than  to  thofe 
qualities,  which  might  enfure  their  comfort  here,  and 
happinefs  hereafter.  Boarding-fchools  confult  but  lit- 
tle thofe  domeftic  qualifications,  which  are  confeffedly 
the  higheft  point  of  ufefulnefs  in  your  fex,  and  ftill  lefs 
that  folid  piety  and  virtue,  which,  alone,  to  an  intelli- 
gent creature,  can  be  the  fource  of  any  real,  heart-felt 
enjoyment. 

Though  religion  is  indifpenfably  neceffary  to  both 
fexes,  and  in  every  poflible  character  and  ftation,  yet  a 
woman  feems,  more  peculiarly,  to  need  its  enlivening 
fupports,  whilfl  her  frame  muft  be  confefTed  to  be  ad- 
mirably calculated  for  the  exercife  of  all  the  tender 
and  devout  affections. 

The  timidity,  arifing  from  the  natural  weaknefs  and 
delicacy  of  your  frame  ;  the  numerous  difeafes,  to 
which  you  are  liable  ;  that  exquifite  fenfibility,  which, 
fn  many  of  you,  vibrates  to  the  flighted  touch  of  joy 
or  forrow  ;  the  tremulous  anxiety  you  have  for  friends, 
children,  a  family,  which  nothing  can  relieve,  but  a 
fenfe  of  their  being  under  the  protection  of  God  ;  the 
fedentarinefs  of  your  life,  naturally  followed  with  low 
fpirits,  or  ennui,  whilft  we  are  feeking  health  and  plea- 
lure  in  the  held  ;  and  the  many,  lonely  hours,  which, 
ill  almoft  every  fituation,  are  likely  to  be  your  lot,  will 
expofe  you  to  a  number  of  peculiar  forrows,  which  you 
cannot,  like  the  men,  either  drowa  in  wine,  or  divert 
by  diflipation. 


tOUNG    LADY,  9 

From  the  jera  that  you  become  marriageable,  the 
fphere  of  your  anxieties  and  afflictions  will  be  enlar- 
ged. The  generality  of  men  are  far  from  a£ting  on 
iuch  Ariel:  principles  of  honor  and  integrity,  in  their 
connexions  with  you,  as  they  would  rigidly  obferve,  in 
matters  of  a  much  more  trivial  importance.  Some  de- 
light in  fporting  with  your  niceft  fenfibilities,  and  af- 
terwards expofing  with  an  illiberal  triumph,  the  fond- 
nefs  of  a  credulous  and  unfufpecYing  heart;  others., 
from  fafhion  merely,  and  to  be  called  men  of  gallan- 
try, will  fay  a  thoufand  civil  things,  and  fhew  as  many 
preferences,  with  no  other  view,  than  to  amufc  the  mo- 
ment, or  acquire  a  fantaftic,  vifionary  honor.  A  third 
fort  of  men  (yes,  it  is  poiTible  that  there  (hould  be  mak 
coquettes  !)  will  do  and  fay  every  thing  to  infpire  you 
with  fondnefs,  and  get  poiTefTion  of  your  heart,  with- 
out proceeding  to  that  explanation,  which  nature  has 
intended  to  come  from  us,  and  which  the  delicacy  of 
your  fex,  whatever  you  may  fuffer,  will  not  permit  you 
to  demand.  Others,  without  any  particular  defigns 
upon  you,  or  improper  attentions,  (for  attachments 
fpring  up  infenfibh,  and  are  as  pofliblc  in  one  fex,  as 
the  other)  may  be  too  agreeable  for  your  fafety  and  re- 
pofe,  and  leave  you  to  a  (ilent,  heart-felt  concern,  which 
"W III  prey  doubly  in  proportion  to  its  concealment — or  even 
when  the  indirToluble  knot  of  marriage  is  tied,  and  you 
have  refigned  every  thing,  till  it  cornes  to  your  name 
and  perfon,  it  may  be,  to  a  man  of  mere  integrity,  who 
knows  nothing  of  thofe  many,  little,  tender  attentions, 
which  involve  fo  great  a  (hare  of  a  woman's  happi- 
neis — it  may  be,  to  a  perfon  of  great  ambition^  who  has 


io  LETTERS   to  a 

neither  Jeifure  nor  inclination  for  foft  domeftic  fcenes  — 
it  may  be,  to  a  fafhionable  Iti/Ipid,  who,  for  the  fake  of 
flirting  with  fome  elegant  fair,  and  giving  your  jcahufy 
the  widett.  range,  leaves  your  charms,  and  the  endear* 
ments  of  his  children,  to  perifh  in  neglect — nay,  llakes^ 
perhaps,  his  very  lafi  thoufand  on  the  uncertainty  of 
game,  when  the  unhappy  throw  may  confign  both  yo« 
and  your  helplefs  babes  to  poverty  and  ruin — or  it 
may  be,  to  a  perfon  of  a  peevifh,  ill-natured,  faturnine 
caft,  artfully  concealed,  till  he  had  you  in  poflefTior^ 
which  no  attentions  can  alter,  no  charms  can  fweeten, 
and  no  vivacity  can  cheer.  Under  thefe,  or  indeed 
any  other  diftreffes,  religion  is  the  only  true  and  unfail- 
ing refource,  and  its  hopes  and  profpe&s,  the  only  fo- 
Iid  bafis  of  confolation.  In  your  many,  folitary  mo- 
ments,  what  can  afford  the  mind  fo  fovereign  a  relief, 
as  the  exercife  of  devotion  to  an  all-prefent  God  ?  and* 
when  domeitic  forrows  clutter  upon  you,  which  yoa 
cannot  reveal  to  any  friend  on  earth,  what  method  have 
you  left,  but  to  pour  them  into  the  bofom  of  your  Fa- 
ther in  heaven,  who  is  confeffedly  the  Friend  of  the 
friendlefs,  always  willing  to  hear  their  cries,  and  al- 
ways able  to  protect. 

The  period,  my  dear  girl,  I  truft,  is  diftant,  when 
fuch  afflictions  mail  attack  your  glowing  fenfibility. — 
They  may  come,  however,  when  1  am  no  more  ;  when 
this  tongue  cannot  give  a  word  of  comfort,  nor  thefe 
eves  drop  a  fympathizing  tear.  Jf  they  jhouhl,  remem- 
ber my  advice,  and  let  your  friendmip  drew  a  few  pur- 
ple flowers  over  the  grave  of 

Your  very  faithful  and  affectionate 


I 


,  YO  U  N  G    LAD  Y.  u 

LETTER       III. 


CONSIDERED, devotion,  in  my  laft  letter,  only 
as  an  advantage  for  relieving  foliiude,  or  as  the  bell  re- 
source under  any  afflictions.  Hut  it  is,  indeed,  in  it- 
fclf,  one  of  the  higheft  and  mod  excjuifite  pleafures  j 
opening  the  mind  to  the  fublimeft  contemplations,  ex- 
panding it  with  the  mod  delightful  hopes,  and  iooth- 
ing  all  its  powers  with  feelings  and  cuniblations,  that 
are  infinitely  beyond  the  reach,  the  nature,  and  the  Ht- 
tlenefs  of  all  human  things. 

There  mutt  be  a  thoufand  moments  in  the  life  of 
every  perfon,  that  is  not  elevated  by  this  devotion, 
when  all  earthly  bleifings  will  be  cold  and  infipid,  and 
the  foul  muft  feel  an  inexpreffible  langour,  though  pof- 

;fefTed  of  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  the  glo- 

.ries  of  them. 

Though  fome  fanatics  have  made  the  love  of  God 
ridiculous,  by  couching  it  in  too  fenfual,  rapturous,  or 
extravagant  language,  yet  fuch  a  paflion  there  is, 
grounded  on  the  moft  rational  principles,  and  Springing 
from  the  pureji  fnurce  ;  without  which,  our  lives  would 
frequently  be  miferable,  and  our  duties,  the  formal, 
unanimated  Service  of  a  body,  without  a  foul. 

If  we  admire  what  is  great,  fubhme  ark!  magnifi- 
cent, on  other  occafions  ;  if  we  love  what  is  amiable, 
difinterefted,  benevolent  and  merciful  in  many  of  our 
fellow-creatures,  whom  we  have  never  fecn,  what 
principle,  either  of  reafon  or  philofophy,  forbids  us  to 
admire  and  love  the  fame  in  God,  who  is  the  primary 
Author  of  all  amiablenef?,  and  at  once  the  fouree  and 

fitlnejs  of  all  poflible  perfection  j    and,  if  we  acknow- 


12  LETTERS    to   a      » 

ledge  him  as  the  parent  of  all  rail  happinefs,  where  is 
the  abfurdity  of  cultivating  an  intercourse  and  friend* 
Jhip  with  him,  in  order  to  obtain  that  happinefc,  by 
prayer,  reflection,  and  pious  afpirations  ? 

Thou  (halt  love  the  Lord  thy  God,  with  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  foul :  This  is  i\iz  firft  andgra?f 
commandment. 

If  a  virtuous  attachment  to  an  imperfect  creature 
here,  is  attended  with  fuch  rranfports  ;  if  friendfhip, 
pure  and  difinterefted,  has  fuch  exquifite  enjoyments, 
the  pieafure,  refulting  from  an  intimacy  with  God, 
muft  far  furpafs  all  human  comprehenfion,  and  be  in- 
finitely more  exalted  and  fublime.  It  is  heaven,  com- 
pared with  e'arth,  or  the  immenfity  of  fpace,  with  the 
little,  narrow  boundaries  of  a  prifon,  or  a  convent. 


N, 


L    E     T     T     E     R      IV. 


EVER  fancy  that  religion  will  render  you  gloo- 
my, or  unpleafmg.  If,  indeed,  you  take  it  from  the 
coarfe  daubings  of  fuperftition,  or  of  enthufiafm,  it  is 
a  frightful  monfter,  or  a  melancholy  fpeclre,  that  will 
difcourage  people  from  approaching  you.  If  you  de- 
duce it  from  the  fcriptures,  and  ground  it  upon  reafon, 
folid  argument  and  truth,  it  will  become  a  fource  of 
perpetual  cheerfulneis  to  yourfclf,  that  will  be  reflected 
on  every  perfon  and  object  about  you. 

Never  fail  to  treat,  with  the  greateft  reverence,  eve- 
ry thing  that  relates  to  the  houfe  of  God,  to  his  mi- 
nivers, to  his  facraments,  and  to  his  word.     To  men- 


YOUNG    LADY.  13 

tion  any  thing,  that  is  facred,  with  levity,  is  a  certain 
mark  of  a  depraved  heart,  and  a  weak  undemanding. 
A  witty  fneer  or  farcafm,  on  fuch  fubjects,  is  not  to  be 
forgiven.  It  (hocks  all  the  fenfible  and  better  part  of 
mankind,  and  is  a  fpecies  of  blafphemy,  or  facrilege. 

You  remember  who  has  faid,  that  "  every  woman 
"  is  at  heart  a  rake."  This  fentence  is  fevere^  and 
not  to  be  admitted,  without  reftridtions.  Pope  was  a 
rancorous  fatirid  of  women.  Whatever  be  his  merit, 
in  the  world  of  letters,  they,  at  lead,  owe  no  extraor- 
dinary gratitude  to  his  memory  or  talents.  "  Tread 
"  lightly  upon  the  afhes  of  the  dead,"  is  a  maxim  I 
revere.  I  would,  otherwife.  retaliate  his  infults  on  the 
fex,  and  become  the  champion  gf  their  injured  honor. 
I  would  infinuatc,  that  the  poet  was  little  and  deform- 
ed, and  had  experienced  few  of  their  carerTes  or  atten- 
tions. Other  writers,  however,  have  charged  you  with 
a  ftrong  preference  for  dijhfated  men.  But  this,  fure- 
ly,  is  the  ungenerous  afperfion  of  your  enemies,  or  of 
thofe,  who  have  not  known  the  moft  deferving  among 
you,  and  have  .formed  an  unjuft  and  unfavourable  con- 
clufion,  from  the  unamiablenefs  of  a  few. 

Tour  example,  I  truft,  will  always  contradict  fuch  m- 
dijcr'iminaie  cenfure.  The  idea,  if  we  could  admit  it 
in  its  full  extent,  would  be  unfriendly  to  the  focial  hap- 
pinefs  of  life.  It  would  dedroy  that  edeem  and  con- 
fidence in  your  virtues,  which  the  bed  and  wifed  men 
have  uniformly  thought  no  inadequate. counterpoife  to 
their  forrows,  and  their  cares.  A  bad  man  is  terrible 
in  fociety  ;  but  an  unprincipled  ivommi  is  a  mov/hr. — 
The  peace,  happinefs  and  honor  of  our  fex,  are  fo  vc- 

8 


14  L  E  T  T  E  R  S    to   a 

ry  much  in  the  power  of  your's  after  marriage,  that  the 
molt  abandoned  libertine  (hudders  at  the  thought  of 
an  union  with  a  woman,  who  has  not  piety  and  virtue. 
His  intimacy  with  fome  females,  of  a  certain  dtfcnp* 
Hetty  has  given  him  fuch  a  difgufting  picture,  as  will 
never  be  forgotten.  In  his  moments  of  reflection,  he 
execrates  his  folly,  and,  when  he  deliberates  whom  he 
fhould  chufe  for  the  companion  of  his  life,  appeals  from 
the  treacherous,  ruffled  bofom  of  an  harlot,  to  one 
that  will  be  always  faithful,  and  always  ferene.  With- 
out ^/V/r,  indeed,  a  woman  can  never  fully  poffefs  the 
true  powers  of  pleafing.  She  will  want  that  meek 
benevolence,  fympathy  and  foftnefs,  which  give  an  in- 
exprefiible  lullre  to  her  features,  and  fuch  a  wonderful 
afcendancy  over  our  affeclions.  We  mall  not  other- 
wife  approach  her  with  confidence,  or  dare  to  repofe 
any  of  our  fecrets,  our  concerns  or  our  forrows,  in  her 
fympathizing  breaft. 


i 


LETTER      V. 

MY  DEAR   GIRL, 


F  your  mind  is  in  a  proper  frame,  every  thing  in 
you  and  about  you,  will  inculcate  the  necefiity,  and 
prompt  you  to  the  continual  exercife  of.  devotion. — 
You  will  find  yourfelf  encompafled  with  innumerable 
fears,  wcaknefTes,  wants,  forrows,  difeafes,  wifhes, 
hopes,  under  which  all  human  creatures  will  be  unable 
to  aflift,  or  give  you  any  adequate  relief ;  but  where- 
ever  you  caft  your  eyes,  you  will,  at  the  fame  time,  be 


YOUNG     LADY.  15 

environed  with  the  immenfity  of  a  Being,  who  is  pof- 
feflbd  of  all  pofl'ible  perfections,  and  who  holdeth  the 
ifTues  of  life  and  death,  of  happinefs  and  mifery,  folely 
in  his  hands. 

The  power,  majefty,  grandeur  and  wifdom  of  this 
Being,  are  difcemible  in  every  part  of  your  frame,  in 
every  function  of  your  body,  and  operation  of  your 
mind,  nay,  in  the  curious  and  exquifite  formation  of 
every  animal  and  infect.  They  are  fcen,  on  a  (till  fu- 
blimer  fcale,  in  the  f.ze,  the  distances,  grandeur,  and 
wonderful  revolution  of  the  heavenly  bodies  ;  in  the 
beautifully  variegated  canopy  of  heaven,  in  all  the  de- 
licious landfcapes  of  nature,  in  the  pleaiing  fucceflion 
of  day  and  night,  fpring  and  autumn,  fummer'  and 
winter.  In  fhort,  winds  and  ftorms,  thunder  and  light- 
ning, earthquakes  and  volcanos,  the  grand,  magnifi- 
cent ocean,  waves  and  comets,  fulfilling  his  word,  ap- 
pearing and  receding,  at  his  fovereign  command  :  flow- 
ers, bloflbms,  fruits,  foflils,  minerals,  petrefa&ions, 
precipices,  hills,  caverns,  vallies,  all  tell  you,  that  their 
Former  is  immenfely  magnificent,  "that  he  doeth  what 
'<  he  will  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among:  the  in- 
"  habitants  of  the  earth,  and  that  none  can  withstand 
"  the  thunder  of  his  power.'* 

This  God  then  is  able  to  gratify  your  wifhes,  and  fup- 
port  you  under  all  your  fufferings ;  he  has  wifdom  enough 
to  protect  and  guide  you  ;  the  queftion  then  is  ;  is  he 
willing?  On  this  head,  hearken  to  all  nature,  for  it 
fpeaks  aloud.  Look  through  the  numberlefs  orders- 
and  gradations  of  animals,  infe&s,  nay,  the  meaneft 
B2 


16  LETTERS    to   a 

reptiles,  and  you  will  be  aftonifhed  with  the  attention, 
that  has  been  lavilhed  on  them,  in  the  contrivance  of 
their  frame,  the  allotment  of  their  fixation,  and  the 
provifion  made  for  their  continual  fupport.  They  are 
happy.  Shift  your  eye  to  all  the  inanimate creation,  and 
you  will  rmd  it  a  fcene  of  harmony,  of  order,  and 
beauty,  and  feemingly  conftrucled  for  our  gratification. 
Lovely  piclurefque  views  delight  our  imagination  ; 
Jhrubs  and  plants,  and  flowers,  regale  us  with  aroma- 
tic fmells.  But  a  poet,  of  very  defcriptive  talents, 
mall  fpeak.  on  this  occafion ; 

Wherefore  nature's  form 
So  exquifitely  fair  ?  her  breath  perfum'd 
With  inch  ethereal  fweetnefer  whence  her  voice, 
Informed  at  will,  to  raife  or  to  deprefs 
Tii'  impaffiouM  foul,  and  whence,  the  robes  of  light, 
V.  hich  thus  invert  her  with  more  lovely  pomp, 
Than  fancy  candeferibe  ?  whence,  but  from  Tbesf 
O  S  mrce  divine  of  never  Tailing  love, 
And  thy  unmeafur'd  goodnefsr  not  content 
With  ev'ry  food  of  life  to  nourilh  man, 
Thou  mak'ft  all  nature,  beauty  to  his  eye, 
Or  mufic  to  his  ear;  well  pleas'd  he  fcans 
The  goo<ily  pfofpeft,  and  with  inward  fmiles, 
Treads  the  gay  verdure  of  the  painted  plain, 
Beholds  the  azure  canopy  of  heav'n, 
And  living  lamps,  that  overarch  his  head 
With  more  than  regal  fplendor,  lends  his  cars 
To  the  full  choir  of  water,  air,  and  earth* 

In  ev'ry  part 
We  trace  the  bright  impreffions  of  his  hand, 
In  earth,  or  air,  the  meadow's  purple  ftores, 
The  moon's  mild  radiance,  or  the  virgin  form, 


YOUNG    LADY,  17 

Blooming  with  rofy  fmiles,  we  fee  pourtray'd 
That  uncreated  beauty,  which  delights 
The  mind  fupreme— 

Indeed,  if  you  reafin  for  a  moment,  why  could  the 
Almighty  create  at  all,  but  to  diffi'fe  and  variegate  en- 
joyment ?  Inexhaustible  Source  of  happinefs,  from  all 
eternity,  he  needed  not,  and,  in  fact,   could  not  receive 
an  addition  to  his  own.     In  himfclf  fupremely  bleflrd, 
Fountain  of  eternal  majefty  and  fplendor,    adored  by 
feraphs,  furrounded  by  myriads  of  angels  and  archan- 
gels, what  dignity  could  be  derive  from  the  exigence, 
or  fervices  of  man,  who  is  but  a  worm,  or  the  produc- 
tion of  ten  thoufand  worlds  ?  It  was  infinite  wifdom, 
therefore,  that  fketched  out  the  plan  of  univerfal  na- 
ture, and  nil-communicative  goodnefs,  that  bade  fo  many 
worlds  exift,  and  bade  them   to  be  happy.      The  fu- 
preme and  gracious  Former  wifhed   to  communica'e 
(oinc  fcattered  rays  of  his  glory  and  his  bleffednefs,  to 
this  extended  world  of  matter  and  of  life,    and   has 
therefore  repleni fried  every  leaf,   every  drop  of   water, 
and  every  pojjibility  of  fpace  with  fhoals  of  inhabitants ; 
for 

Scarce  buds  a  leaf,  or  fprings  the  loweft  weed, 
But  little  flocks  upon  its  bofom  feed  ; 
No  fruit  our  palate  court*,  or  tafte  our  frnell, 
But  on  its  fragrant  bofom,  nations  dwell. 

Is  it  not  then  a  certain  conclufion,  that  he  created 
you,  as  well  as  all  inferior  animals,  for  happinefs  ?  On 
this  you  may  depend,  as  much  as  you  can  upon  the  cer- 
tainty vi  your  exigence,  2nd  that  he  is  always  more 

B3 


i*  LETTERS    to    a 

toifflng  to  be  your  Prote&or,  than  you  arc  ready  to  re- 
queft  it. 

Open  the  facrei  book,  and,  from  beginning  to  end,  it 
will  confirm  this  opinion,  and  exalt  your  ideas  of  the 
divine  perfections.  "  I  delight  in  exercifmg  loving. 
"  kindnefs,  faith  the  Lord.— The  Lord  is  good  to  all, 
"  and  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  If 
"  he  clothes  the  grafs  of  the  field,  which,  to-day  is, 
"  and  to-morrow  is  cart  into  the  oven,  how  much 
"  more  (hall  he  clothe  you,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ?"  That 
religion  is  built  on  wrong  notions,  or  a  Melancholy  tem- 
per, that  fills  us  with  imaginary  terrors.  All  nature 
breathes  a  language  of  hope  and  mercy.  And  nature 
is  the  mefTenger  of  God. 

It  is  true,  there  is  evil  in  the  world,  as  well  as  good; 
there  are  marks  of  judgment,  as  well  as  mercy.  There 
are  hurricanes,  as  well  as  fanning  breezes  ;  noxious  are 
intermixed  with  ufeful  animals  ;  poifonous  and  falutary 
herbs  grow  befuleczch.  other,  and  rofes  have  their  thorns. 
There  are  wars  and  rumours  of  wars  ;  there  are  earth- 
quakes, that  defolate  whole  countries  ;  a  thoufand  forms 
of  difeafe;  a  thoufand  modifications  of  forrow,  anxiety 
and  death.  If  he,  who  fits  at  the  helm,  be  fo  gracious, 
whence  all  this  diforder  ?  If  his  infinite  power  be  com- 
bined with  equal  wifdom  and  goodnefs,  why  did  he 
not  prevent  it  ? 


If  men  were  not  to  be  free  agents,  the  total  preven- 
tion of  fin  and  evil,  feems  an  impoffthttty.  Moral  liber- 
tv  could  not  confiit  with  a  mechanical,  forced  obedience  ; 
and  if  we  had  not  been  free,  the  idea  of  punifhments 
or  rewards,  of  an  heaven  or  an  hell,  would  be  the 


YOUNG     L  A  D  Y.  19 

greateft  of  all  pofiible  abfurdities.  5o  that  the  queftion 
rdtunatcly  amounts  to  this,  whether  it  was  proper  for 
the  Almighty  to  create  fuch  a  world  at  all  ?  Had  we 
not  better  referve  the  propriety  of  this  conduct,  to  be 
difputed  with  him  at  his  great  tribunal  ?  7 here,  I  doubt 
not,  we  fhall  be  amply  convinced,  that  the  creation 
was  a  work  of  infinite  mercy,  as  well  .as  power,  and 
that  a  greater  degree  of  happinefs  than  mifery,  has  ari- 
fen  from  it.  There  too,  when  we  are  able  to  difcern 
with  glorified  eyes,  the  whole  chain  of  caufes  and  ef- 
fects, from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  lime  ;  the  de- 
pendence of  one  link  of  being  on  another,  and  of 
worlds  on  worlds  ;  this  evil  we  now  complain  of,  may 
become  a  mean  of  exalting  our  ideas  of  the  attributes 
of  the  Almighty  ;  and  we  fhall  blufh  at  ourfelves  for 
even  having  queftioned  his  goodnefs  for  a  moment,  or 
encouraged  a  reafoning  pride,  fo  ill  becoming  creatures, 
whofe  days  are  few,  whofe  ftrength  is  weaknefs,  whofe 
wifdom  folly  ;  and  who,  in  the  prefent  immurement  of 
their  underftanding,  fcarcely  know  the  nature  of  a 
blade  of  grafs,  or  of  the  very  pebbles,  on  which  they 
tread. 

This  queflion,  concerning  the  origin  of  evil,  has 
puzzled  the  whole  tribe  of  reafoners  and  philofophcrs, 
from  the  creation  to  the  prefent  moment.  The  fcrip- 
ture  alone  has  folved  the  enigma  to  our  fatisfadiion. 
This  deranged  ftate  of  things,  is  the  providential  pun- 
i/hment  of  guilt,  but  at  the  fame  time,  contrived  in 
mercy,  as  a  falutary  regimen,  and  as  a  mode  of  purify- 
ing fallen  creatures  for  the  innocence  and  happinefs  of 
a  better  world.     It  is  a  cbaos^  fitted  to  our  prefent  con- 


zo  LETTERS    to    a 

flitution,  and  will  refine,  as  we  do,   into  its  primitive 
beauty  and   fplendor.       u  There  (hall  then  be  new 
"  heavens  and  a  new  earth,    wherein   dwelleth  righte- 
"  oufnefs.     The  wolf  mall  dwell  with  the  lamb,   and 
"  the  leopard  lie  down  with  the  kid,  when  the  earth  is 
"  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  co- 
"  ver  the  Teas."     Relignation,  in  the  mean  time,  has  a 
balm  tor  fuffering,  and  the  faith  of  a  chrittian  ulook- 
<c  eth  to  a  better  counrry,   v  ith  foundations,    whofe 
ilderand  Maker  is  God." 
B,itf  {'peculations  apart ;  if  you  draw  nigh  to  the  Al- 
tfiighty,  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you  ;  if  you   feek  his  fa- 
vour and  friendHiip,  all  things  (hall  uork  together  for 
your  good.     Tribulation,   anguifh,  nakednefs,  or  fa- 
mine, or  peril,  or  the  fword,    will  all   be  fo  many  in- 
ftruments,  in  his  hands,  of  procuring  your  eternal  hap- 
pinefs  and  glory. 

Remember  the  gift  of  his  only  Son,  to  be  a  facrifice 
for  your  fins,  and  it  is  more  than  a  thoufand  lefibns  of 
a  mercy  beyond  a  parallel,  and  that  far  exceeds  all  hu- 
man comprehension. 

On  fo  delightful  a  fubje£t,  it  is  difficult  to  flop  one's 
pen,  or  reftrain  the  fallies  of  imagination.  This  idea 
of  the  fupreme  Being,  cafts  a  delicious  fragrance  over 
all  the  real  enjoyments  of  life  :  It  gives  an  inexprefli- 
ble  poignancy  to  friendship,  and  to  the  arTeclion,  with 
which  I  (hall  ever  feel  my felf  inviolably  your's. 


VOUNG     LADY,  zi 

LETTER      VI. 

MY    DEAR  GIRL, 


D 


•'VOTION,  confklered  amply  in  jtfelf,  is  an 
in  rcourfe  between  us  and  God;  bervvixt  thcfuprer.  c, 
felt*  exiftenr,  inconceivable  Spirit,  v. ]:ich  formed  and 
preserves  the  univerfe,  and  that  particular  fpirit,  with 
which,  for  awful  reafons,  he  has  animated  a  portion  of 
matter  upon  earth,  that  we  call  man.  It  is  a  filent  act:,  in 
which  the  foul  diverts  itfelf  of  outward  things,  flie>  into 
heaven,  and  pours  forth  all  its  wants,  willies,  hopes, 
fears,  guilt  or  pleafures,  into  the  bofom  of  an  Almighty 
Friend. 

Though  this  devotion,  in  its  firft  ftages,  may  be  a 
Wearifome  or  infipia '  exercife,  yet  this  arifes  merely  from 
the  depravity  of  nature,  and  of  our  paffiohs.  A  little 
habit  will  overcome  this  reluctance.  When  you  have 
fairly  entered  on  your  journey,  u  the  ways  of  this 
"  wifdoin  will  be  ways  of  pleafantnefs,  and  all  its 
"  paths  peace.** 

True  devotion,  doubtlefs,  requires  a  confiderable  de- 
gree of  abjlruftien  from  the  world.  Hence  modern 
chriftians  treat  it  as  a  vifiori.  Hence  many  ??iodern  wri- 
ters have  little  of  its  unction.  But  it  glows  in  the 
fcriptures.  It  warms  us  in  the  fathers.  It  burned  in 
an  Auftin,  and  in  many  others  of  thofe  perfecuted  mar- 
tyrs, who  now  are  with  God. 

That  we  bear  little  of  it,  is  not  wonderful.  It  makes 
no  noife  in  the  circles  of  the  learned,   or  of  the  elc- 


22  LETTERS    to   a 

ganr.  Under  a  heap  of  worldly  cares,  viefmrther  the 
lovely  infant,  and  will  not  let  it  breathe.  V  anity,  am- 
bition, pleafure,  avarice,  quench  the  celeftial  fire  :  And 
thefe,  alas  !  are  too  much  the  god  of  mortals !  Ever 
fince  the  world  be2;an,  writers  have  been  amufins;  us 
only  with  Jhadows  of  this  piety,  inftead  of  giving  us  its 
foul  and  [ubjlance.  Superftition  has  placed  it  in  opini- 
ons, ceremonies,  aufterities,  pilgrimages,  pcrjecuticn,  an 
auguft  temple,  or  fplendid  imagery,  which  had  little 
connection  with  fentiment  or  fpirit.  Enthufiafm  has 
fwelled  with  unnatural  conceptions,  and  obtruded  a 
fpuriovs  offspring  on  the  world,  inftead  of  this  enga- 
ging child  of  reafon  and  truth  ;  whilft  the  lukewarm 
have  refted  in  a  few  outward  duties,  which  have  had 
no  vigour,  and,  as  they  fprang  not  from  the  heart,  ne- 
ver entered  the  temple  of  the  Moft  High. 

Real  piety  is  of  a  very  different,  and  of  a  much  more 
animated  nature.  It  looks  up  to  God,  fees,  hears,  (cch 
him,  in  every  event,  in  every  viciflitude,  in  all  places, 
in  all  feafons,  and  upon  all  occafions.  It  is  theory,  vi- 
vified by  experience.  It  is  fc\l\\>fubjlantiated  by  mental 
enjoyment.  It  is  heaven,  transplanted  into  the  hu- 
man bofom.  It  is  the  radiance  of  the  Divinity,  warm- 
ing and  encircling  man.  It  is  fpiritual  fenfe,  gratified 
by  fpiritual  fenfations,  Without  thisy  all  ceremonies  are 
inefficacious.  Books,  prayers,  facraments  and  medi- 
tations are  but  a  body  without  a  foul,  or  a  ftatue  with- 
out animation. 


YOUNGLADY.  23 

That  man  is  capable  of  fuch  an  intercourse  with  his 
Maker,  there  are  many  living  witnefles  to  prove.  VV  ith- 
out  having  recourfe  to  the  vifions  of  fanatics,  or  the 
dreams  of  enthufiafts,  it  may  be  proved  to  fpring  from 
natural  and  philofopbica!  czufes.  God  is  a  fpirit,  fo  is 
the  mind.  Bodies  can  have  intercourfe,  fo  can  fords. 
When  minds  are  in  an  ajjimilaling  ftate  of  purity,  they 
have  union  with  their  Maker.  This  was  the  blifs  of 
paradifc  ;  fin  interrupted,  and  holinefs  mini  reftore  it. 
To  a  foul,  thus  difpofed,  the  Creator  communicates 
himfelf,  in  a  manner,  which  is  as  infenfibleto  the  na- 
tural eye,  as  the  falling  of  dews,  but  not  lefs  refrefhing 
to  its  fecret  powers,  than  thai  is  to  vegetation. 

The  primitive  faints  are  defcribing  this,  when  they 
fpeak  of  their  tranfports.  David  felt  it,  when  he 
longed  for  God,  as  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water 
brooks.  St.  Paul  knew  it,  when  he  gloried  in  his  tri- 
bulations. It  was  embodied 'in  him,  when  he  v. as  carri- 
ed up  into  the  third  heavens,  and  heard  things  impbift- 
ble  to  be  uttered.  St.  Stephen  was  filled  with  it, 
when  he  faw  the  heavens  open,  and  prayed  for  his 
murderers.  By  it,  martyrs  were  fupported,  when  « hey 
wereftoned,  and  fawn  afunder.  And  till  we  feel  it  in 
eurplvesy  we  (hall  never  fully  know  how  gracious  the 
Lord  is. 

If  you  can  acquire  this  fpiritual  a'flraflion,  you  will, 
at  once,  have  made  your  fortune  for  eternity.  it  will 
be  of  little  moment,  what  is  your  lot  on  earth,  or  what 
the  diftinguifhing  viciflitudes  of  your  life,     i'rofperity 


24  LETTERS    to   a 

or  adverfity,  health. or  ficknefs,  honour  or  difgrace,  a 
cottage  or  a  crown,  will  all  be  fo  many  initrumeius  of 
glory.  The  whole  creation  will  become  a  temple,  li- 
very event,  and  every  object,  will  lead  your  mind  to 
God,  and  in  his  greatnefs  and  perfections,  you  will  in- 
fenfibly  lofe  the  Jittlenefs,  the  glare  and  tinfel  of  all 
human  things. 

If  I  wifhed  only  to  fet  off  your  pcrfon  to  the  greateft 
advantage,  I  would  recommend  this  true  jubl'ime  of  re- 
ligion. It  gives  a  pleafmg  ferenity  to  the  countenance, 
and  a  cheerfulnefs  to  the  fpirits,  beyond  the  reach  of 
art,  or  the  power  of  affectation.  It  communicates  a 
real  tranfport  to  the  mind,  which  difiipation  mimics 
only  for  a  moment ;  a  fweetnefs  to  the  difpofition,  and 
a  '  /ire  to  the  manners,  which  all  the  airs  of  modern 
pohtenefs  fhidy  but  in  vain.  Eafy  in  yourfelf,  i|  will 
m  ke  you  in  perfect  good  humour  with  the  world,  and 
when  you  are  diffusing  happinefs  around  vou,  u  you 
"  wilj  only  be  dealing  out  the  broken  fragments,  that 
"  remain  after  you  have  eaten." 


amtv^aaitf^^*' 


LETTER      VII. 

HIS  devotion,  however,  though  ejfentially  a  filent 
intercourfe  betwixt  the  foul  and  God,  yet,  to  cream- 'js, 
confiding  of ''matter ',  as  well  as  fpirit,  muft  be  nourilhed 


YOUNG    LADY.  <?s 

by  external  forms.  It  muft  ftrike  the  fenfcs,  in  -order 
to  awaken  die  imagination. 

The  bulk  of  people,  indeed,  are  fo  far  materialized, 
(if  I  may  thus  exprefs  it)  and  funk  in  fetife,  that  no- 
tiling  but  outward  ceremonies  would  give  them  any  a- 
dequate  perception  either  of  the  neccjfity  or  pleafures 
of  devotion  ;  and  even  the  mod  fpiritual,  in  a  ftate  of 
frailty,  will  need  thefe  powerful  calls  and  leflbns  to  r*- 
trace  the  vanishing  impreflions  of  their  duty. 

Public  worfhip,  and  the  facraraents,  are  the  grand 
outpjork  of  piety.  They  are  the  'doors,  by  which  we 
enrer  the  fanctuary  of  God.  They  are  the  channels 
for  conveying  heavenly  grace  and  vigour  to  the  foul. 
It  is  here  the  Redeemer  gives  us  food,  that  nourifhea 
to  eternal  life.  It  is  here  he  rains  down  fountains  of 
living  water. 

Whoever  pretends  to  be  above  thefe  forms,  is  the/tf- 
natic,  who  might  as  well  tell  us,  that  his  animal  life 
can  be  fupported  without  food  :  whoever  defpifes  them, 
is  the  Infidel,  that  does  every  thing  in  his  power,  to 
root  out  the  remembrance  of  God  from  the  earth,  and 
violate  the  deareft  interests  of  mankind.  Whoever 
i.onjcientiaujjy  attends,  yet  confiders  them  only  as  Intro- 
duflory  t-o  good,  is  a  true,  rational  christian,  that  unites 
the  feparate  links  of  matter  and  fpirit,  and  lets  his 
light  fhine  before  men,  that  they  may  fee  his  good 
works,  and  glorify  his  Father  who  is  in  heaven, 

C 


26  LETTERS   to  a 

Lukewarmnefs,  an  infenfibility  to  all  facred  things, 
fcepticifm,  profligacy,  and  licentious  pleafures,  are  the 
difcriminating  traits  of  thofe  who  neglect,  from  what- 
ever vain  pretences,  thefe  means  of  grace.  The  befl 
difpofed  are  gradually  hardened,  and  the  poor  are  plung- 
ed into  fuch  dilbrders,  as  bring  them  to  the  fatal  tree. 


LETTER      VIII. 

Xl^NOTHER  excellent  method  of  enkindling  pie- 
ty, is,  reading  the  fcriptures.  A  chriftian,  indeed,  mould 
have  this  facred  book  ever  folded  in  his  breaft.  There 
is  a  richnefs  and  a  comfort  in  it,  that  nothing  elle  can 
equal.  Every  word  is  big  with  inltrucYion  ;  every  fen- 
tence  is  divine.  It  is  a  mine,  perpetually  opening ;  the 
deeper  we  dig,  the  richer  is  the  ore.  It  is  a  feafr,  a- 
dapted  to  every  tafte  ;  the  moft  exalted  understanding 
mufl:  admire,  and  the  lozvsft  cannot  fail  to  comprehend 
its  inftru&ions. 

If  people  only  read  for  the  fake  of  entertainment, 
where  can  they  find  a  book  equal  to  the  Bible  ?  What 
other  production,  cither  ancient  or  modern,  has  fuch 
fttikmg  pafiages  of  the  pathetic  and  fublime,  the  vehe- 
ment and  impaflioned  ?  Where  are  there  fuch  lofty 
images,  fuch  grand  conceptions,  or  fuch  piclurefque 
and  animated  descriptions,  as  in  the  pfalms  ?  There  js 


Y  O  U  ST  G    L  A  D  Y.  27 

fcarcely  a  perfon  in  the  world,  to  whofe  cafe  fome  of 
them  are  not  adapted,  nor  a  forrcw  which  they  cannot 
foothe.  In  one  part,  plaintive,  affecting,  penitential  ; 
in  another,  full  of  triumph  and  exultatiorr,  ennobling, 
elevating  ;  here  defcribing  the  immenfity,  majefty, om- 
nipotence and  omniprefence  of  God  ;  there  the  little* 
nefs  of  the  world,  and  the  vanity  of  man  ;  whoever 
can  read  them,  without  emotion,  muft  be  pronounced 
void  both  of  piety  and  tafte. 

The  prophets  are  the  true  [ublime  or  holy  reading. 
The  bold  images,  metaphors,  allufions  anddefcription?, 
with  which  they  abound,  have  been  the  admiration  of 
the  mod  accomplished  fcholars,  orators  and  critics  in 
the  world.  The  proverbs  of  Solomon,  and  the  book 
of  Ecclefiafticus,  are  an  excellent  fyftem  for  the  go- 
vernment of  private  life,  as  well  as  a  fund  of  fpi ritual 
inftrucYton  !  They  have  all  the  marroiv  of  our  modern 
fyftems  of  good  breeding,  without  any  of  their  poifort. 
The  facred  (lories  of  the  fcripture,  are  related  with 
amazing  fim'plicity  and  pathos  ;  the  parables  are  beau- 
tifully pointed  and  inftruc'tive  ;  and  the  epiftles  of  St. 
Paul  are  a  model  of  the  fublimeft  and  m oft  energetic 
eloquence,  that  can  be  found  in  any  age,  or  in  any  lan- 
guage. 

When  the  immortal  Locke  and  Newton  had  dived 
into  every  other  kin<I  of  knowledge,  they  fat  down  to 
contemplate  the  vanity  and  poverty  of  all,  in  therichnefs 
of  the  fcriptures.  The  famous  Bacon,  an  oracle  of 
learning,  in  his  day,  and  the  wonder  of  all  fucceeding 
ages,  conferred  them  to  be  the  fource  of  all  real  ivifdonu 


28  LETTERS-   to   a 

The  llluftrlous  Seldon,  on  his  death-bed,  affined-  arch- 
bifliop  L  flier,,  that  x)\q  whole  of  his  immenfe  library 
could  not  give  him  half  the  comfort,  which  he  derived 
from  one  ft*:*le  fentence  of  the  infpircd  writings  ;  and 
Addifon,  whofe  name  muft.be  ever  dear  to  every  friend 
of  religion  and  virtue,  fpent  no  little  time  in  collecting 
together,  and  arranging  into  one  common  point  of 
view,  the  united  evidences  of  the  chriftian  religion. 

The  primitive  chriftians  ufed  to  read  this  book,  on 
their  knees.  Their  preface  was,  "  Open  thou  mine 
Cfc  eyes,  that  I  may  fee  the  wondrous  things  of  thy  law." 
Imitate  them  on  earth,  and  in  time  you  fhall  join  that 
i'luftrious  choir  of  faints,  that  are  continually  worship- 
ing before  the  throne  of  heaven. 


LETTER       IX*- 

HE  old  Scriptures-  may  appear,  in  themfeives,, 
dry  and  rnfipid  ;  but  when  you  confider" them,  as  typi- 
cal of  the  new,  and  affording  a  ftrong,  collateral  tefti- 
mony  to  the  truth  of  revelation  ;  as  defcribing  the  cir- 
cumftances,  manners,  and  anecdotes  of  a  peculiar,  cho- 
ki\  people,  whofe  hiftony,  rebellion,  captivity  and  difper- 
fion,  are  interwoven  with  the  whole  fyftem  of  chrif- 
tianity,  you  will  read  them  with  a  greater  relim,  and 
more  jodly  edification. 


YOUNG     LADY,  29 

Jefus  Chrift  is  the  foundation  of  the  apoftles  and 
prophets  ;  all  the  incidents  you  read,  point  to  him,  as 
their  origin,  and  as  their  end  ;  "  the  great  Corner-Stone 
"  in  Zion  ;  the  Lamb  (lain  from  the  foundation  of  the 
"  world.', 

The  bondage  of  the  children  of  I  fr  a  el  in  Egypt,  is 
an  image  of  our  captivity  to  fin,  and  their  deliverance, 
of  our  redemption  through  the  blood  of  Chrift  ;  their 
journeying  through  the  wildernefs,  is  a  ftrong  picture 
of  our  wearifome  paffage  through  this  vale  of  tears. 
Mofes  is  the  saviour,  making  waters  of  comfort  gu(h 
from  the  ftony  rock.  -y  the  manna  is  the  food  of  his 
word,  and  the  waters  are  the  graces  of  his  holy  fpirit  j 
the  beautiful  and  aftecling  hiftory  of  Jofeph,  is  an  em- 
blem of  that  better  perfonage,  who  was  envied,  hated, 
perfeeuted  and  murdered  by  his  brethren,  for  the  ge- 
neral falvation  :  Abraham  is  a  linking  image  of  the 
Almighty,  offering  up  his  only  Son,  and  all  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  law  point  to  that  true  blood  of  fprinkling, 
which  alone  can  take  away  the  fms  of  the  world. — 
Thus  is  every  page  holy  ;  thus  do  you  tread,  every  mo- 
ment, on  confecrated  ground,  and  thus  every  word, 
when  properly  underitood,  is  fpirit  and  is  life. 

But  of  all  the  fcriptures,  thegofpels  are  certainly  the. 
m oft  edifying  and  inftrucYive.     They  are.plain,  forci- 
ble, fpiritual ;   they  come  from  the  very  mouth  of  ho- 
linefs  and  wifdom,   and  do  not  admit  of  any  wrong 
conftructions   or  doubtful  interpretations.      If  there 

C3 


3*  LETTERS   to   a 

was  only  the  fifth  chapter  of  St.  Matthew's  gofpel  ex- 
tant, we  fhould  have  an  incomparable  abridgment  of 
chriltianity,  fufficient  to  direct  our  faith,  to  animate 
our  practice,  and  flafh  confufion  on  that  hoft  of  wri- 
ters, who  have  built  fo  many  wrong  and  dangerous 
©pinions  on  the  pretended  bafis  of  revelation. 

Commentators  may  ferve  to  explain  an  eaftern  cuf- 
iom,  ceremony  allufion  or  mode  of  exprefTion,  but  I 
cannot,  in  general,  recommend  them,  at  leaft'to  young- 
people.  They  embarrafs  more  frequently  than  they 
direct ;  they  have  often  perplexed,  what,  in  itfelf,  was 
clear  ;  and  darkened,  where  they  affected  to  illuminate*. 
The  fayings  of  our  Lord  are  fo  very  obvious,,  as  to 
need  little  or  no  explanation.  They  are  a  precious 
wine,  which  the  profane  wifdom  of  fcholars  and  phi- 
losophers has  mixed  with  water.  If  men  had  only 
ftudied  them  with  earneftnefs,  inftead  of  their  own  in- 
tereft,  prejudices  and  paflions,  we  mould  never  have 
been  diffracted  with  fo  many  fyftems  of  error  and  fu- 
perftition. 

Do  not  read  much  ara  time.  Meditation  is  the 
flomach,  which  digefts  this  food  ;  you  fhould  reflcft 
many  hours,  for  reading  one.  And  there  is  fuch  a  con- 
denied  richnefs  in  the  fcriptures,  that  one  fingJe  verfc. 
will  often  fugged  an  ample  fund  for  ferious  contempla- 
tion. 


Y  O  cJ  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  3* 

Every  moment  that  you  perufe  this. book,  confider 
youiTelt-  as  in  the  immediate  prcfence  of  your  Maker. 
Fancy  that  you  heard  him,  delivering  the  command- 
ments, in  all  the  thunder,  and  lightning  of'  the  mount. 
Remember  that,  though  heaven  and  earth  fail,  one  jot 
or  one  tittle  (hall,,  in  no  wife*  pafs  from  the  Jaw,  till 
all  be  fulfilled..  Conlider  what  a  number  of  holy 
men  have  fealed  the  truth.of  this  teftimony  with  their 
blood..  Examine  yourfelf  by  the  promifes  and  threat - 
enino-s,  as  you  go  along,  and  do  not  forget  to  blefs 
God,  upon  your  knees,  that  he  has  given  you  fuch  a 
lamp  for  your  feet,  and  fuch  a  light  to  your  paths. 

Without  this  facred  volume,  the  world  would  have 
been,  at  this  very  moment,  considerably  unenlightened  ; 
worshipping  (locks  or  ftones,  perhaps  offering  human 
blood,  and  tormenting  them  Pelves-  with  burdenfome 
ceremonies,  that  had  no  manner  of  connexion  with 
the  heart ;  immerfed  in  forrows,  which  they  could  not 
haf-e  eafed,  and  perplexed  with  a  thoufand  gloomy  e- 
nigmas,  which  they  never  could  have  folved.  The  light, 
which  fuperficial  fecptics  vaunt,  as  that  of  nature  or 
philofophy,  is,  in  a  great  degree,  derived  from  the  fcrip- 
tures.  The  arguments,  which  they  level  againft  chrif- 
tianity,  have  been  fuggefted  by  the  light  of  chriilianitv 
itfclf. 


32  LETTERS   to  a 

LETTER        X. 

X  HOUGH  I  have  reprobated  prolix  commentators, 
there  are,  however,  feveral  little  books,  which  will  il- 
luftrate  and  enliven  the  facred  writings,  and  enable  you 
to  read  them  with  greater  pleafure  and  advantage.— 
Melmoth,  on  the  beautiful  and  fublime  of  fcripturer 
falls  under  this  defcription.  He  will  fudged  fome  lin- 
king paM'ges,  which  before  may  have  efcaped  your  oh. 
fervation. 

The  ComtefTe  le  Genlis  is  entitled  to  the  gratitude 
of  all  young  people.  She  is  pofTefYed  of  an  elegant 
tafte,  a  fplendid  ftyle,  and  a  very  enlightened  under- 
standing, She  has  thrown  into  a  dramatic  form,  fe- 
veral of  the  historical  parts  of  the  Bible  ;  and  though 
the  chaftity  of  an  Englifh  tafte  is  not  eafily  reconciled 
to  ferioufnefs  "  in  fo  questionable  a  mape,"  her  in- 
genuity fparkles  through  the  whole  performance,  and 
has  given  it  a  pathos,  an  intereft  and  a  brilliancy,  that 
will  both  improve  your  heart,  and  delight  your  imagi- 
nation. 

I  fcarcely  know  a  woman,  that  deferves  fo  much 
from  the  community  at  large,  as  Mrs.  Trimmer.  Her 
facred  Hiftory  is  a  well  known  ufeful  performance  :  her 
unwearied  labours  for  the  fervice  of  the  poor,  in  her 
Family  Magazine,  and  her  active  patronage  of  Sunday 
Schools,  befpeak  a  heart  that  is  warm  with  benevo- 
lence, and  an  understanding  of  no  ordinary  fize.  The 
pride  of  philofophy  and  profound  learning  may,  per- 


%  q  U  N  G    LA  D  Y.  33 

Haps,  look  down  on  fuch  attempts,  as  beneath  their  am- 
bition. But- how  can  talents  be  fo  ufefully  or  fo  ami- 
ably employed,  as  when  ftripped  of  their  gaudy  plu- 
mage, they  condefcend  to  meruit,  to  blefs  and  reform 
the  meaneft  of  mankind*  Metaphyseal  reafonings  are 
for  the  learned  few^  and  often  miflead  them  ;  thefe  ptac- 
t'ical  labours  confult  the  good  of  miliums*  and  will  con* 
tinue  to  edify,  when  all  fuch  cobweb  fyftcms  are  total- 
ly demolished,  and  their  authors  configned  to  the  ob- 
livion they  deferve. 

There  is  not,  perhaps,  a  better  method  of  turning 
fcripture  to  advantage,  than  that  ufed  by  the  good  bi- 
fliop  Wilfon,  in  his  Saera  Prhata.  He  feleclrs  a  few 
detached  verfes,-andr  in  his  natural  and  eafy  ftyie,  raifes 
upon  each,  a  train  of  reflections  which  mud  enkindle 
and  animate  the  devotion  of  every  reader. 

Doddridge's  paraphrafe  on  the  new  teftament,  may' 
be  juftly  recommended  for  its  zeal,  piety,  earnertnefa 
and  animation.  Nor  does  it  want  the  embellifhments 
of  a  lively  fancy,,  or  of  aa  eafy  and  unadorned  lan- 
guage. But,  like  mod  d'uTenters  of  his  time,  he  was  a 
pupil  of  the  Calviniftic  fchool  f  and  though  I-  fhall  ne- 
v-er  be  a  convert  to  his  fy (tern,  I  cannot  but  approve 
the  general  air  and  fpirit  of  his  writings.-  There  are 
few  things  or  characters  in  life,  any  more  than  authors, 
that  are  formed  to  command  an  unreferved  admiration. 
The  moft  delightful  landfcape  has  its  (hades.  The. moil 
animated  countenance  has  frequently  feme  feature  im- 
perfect, or  diilorted.  There  will  be  accidental  heats 
and  fiufhes  on  the  moft  de!;.\ite  complexion. 


34  L  E  TTE  RStoa. 

LETTER      XI. 

J_  HERE  are  feveral  excellent  manuals  of  private 
devotion.  But  1  have  no  great  opinion  of  thefe  forms. 
Look  into  the  hiftory  of  your  private  life,  and  the  dif- 
penfations  of  Providence  ;  to  what  is  daily  happening 
within  you,  and  about  you,  and  your  own  heart  will  be 
the  bed:  prayer-book  in  the  world.  If  you  attend  to 
its  wifhes,  its  breathings  and  its  wants,  you  can  never 
want  language  ;  or  if  you  jhould,  God  is  ever  prefenr,. 
and  will  accept  the  naked  wifhes  of  your  foul.  A  beg- 
gar,  in  great  diftrefs,  is  always  eloquent.  His  fighs  and 
tears  fpeak  ;  he  feels  what  he  wants,  and  he  needs  no 
artificial  arrangement  of  words.  Still  babes  muit  be 
nourished  with  milk.  There  is  a  period  hi  the  cbrijlian 
as  well  as  the  natural  life,  when  leading-firings  are  ne- 
cefTary  to  the  infant. 

I  have  known  people  fall  into  a  total  difufe  of  pri- 
vate devotion,  folely  from  a  fancied  poverty  of  words. 
This  is  a  very  dangerous  error.  Prayers,  drawn  from 
books,  are  furely  preferable  to  no  prayers  at  all.  Arti- 
ficial exercife  is  better  than  total  inaction.  But  prayer 
of  the  heart,  is,  that  fuperior  glow,  which  ari fes  from 
motion  in  the  open  air,  and  exhilerates  us  with  n  view 
of  all  the  charming  pictures  and  productions  of  na- 
ture. 


YOUNG      LADY.  35 

As  a  public  fyftem  of  devotion,  that  of  our  church 
js  excellent.  How  fimple  and  energetic  is  the  lan- 
guage !  How  rich  and  beautifully  varied  are  the  col- 
lects !  How  unconiiaed  and  univerfal  the  prayers,  ex- 
tending to  all  conditions  of  men,  (ituations  of-  life,  and 
comprizing  every  wifli  and  forrow  of  the  heart  !  If 
other  forms  do  not  pleafe  your  tafte,  you  may  contrive 
to  adapt  fome  portion  of  this  to  your  private  occasions. 

Two  capital  traits  will  ftrike  you  in  our  liturgy  ;  the 
great  ftrefs  laid  upon  Jefus  Chrift,  and  the  continual  in- 
terceflion  for  the  blefllngs  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Thefe 
are,  indeed,  the  grand  leflbn  to  be  learned  from  it,  as 
well  as  from  the  fcriptures.  They  arethe  pillars  of  the 
-church  ;  the  life  and  blood  of  the  chrift  ian  fyftem. 

Without  the  atonement  of  Chrift,  criminals  as  we 
are,  there  never  could  have  been  any  hope  of  mercy  ; 
without  the  ailiftance  and  graces  of  the  fpirit,  we  could 
not  have  been  purified  for  the  manfions  of  glory.  If 
Chrift  has  been  called  the  Sun  of  righteoufnefs,  the  ho- 
ly Spirit  is  the  air  which  purifies  and  invigorates  the 
whole  moral  world,  and  preferves  it  from  ftagnatian 
and  putrefaction. 

Meditate  frequently  on  thefe  fufferings  of  Chrift, 

'till  you  abhor  every  -fin  that  produced  them  ;   and,  in 

order  to  be  enriched  with  all  graces  and.hleflings,  pray 

.daily  and  fervently  for  this  holy  fpirit.     The  good  Bi- 

(hop  Kenn  has  a  few  words  in  one  of  .his  hymns^ 


36  LETTERS     to  a 

which  wonderfully  epitomize  our   petitions  and  otrj 
wants  : 

-I>ir.  ft,  controul,  Aigjreft  this  day, 
All  1  design,  or  do,  or  lay, 
That  ail  m  *pow*rs,  with  all  their  mi^ht, 
In  thy  foleglory  may.  unite. 


LETTER      Xlh 


MY   DEAR  LUCY, 


Y. 


OUR  f acre  A *■  reading  needs  not  to  he  wholly  confined  tz 
the  fcrifture's.  A  jew  ether  ferious  books  will  ajjtjl your 
piety,  as  well  as  Jerve  to  illuftrate  and  confirm  the/cripturet 
themfilves. 

1  cannot ;  in  this  refpeel,  /o  much  recommend  modern fier- 
tnons,  as /me  little  practical  treat ifics  of  piety,  Englijh  difi 
courles,  in  general,  by  a  Jl  range,  fiholajlic  mi/management, 
are  not  jujjiciently  addrc/fed  to  the  heart.  Either  they  are 
learned di/quifit torts,  on  fame  fpccu'ative,  controverted  Jub- 
jefi  more  calculated  to  difplay  abilities,  than  to  edi/y  ;  or  they 
art  fpruce,  'moral  cjfays,  with  little  more  of  chriftianity  in 
them,  than  might  be  gleaned  from  the  works  of  Plato  or  E- 
pifletus,  They  want  that  Jimplicit),  fire,  energy,  animation* 
thai  bsldnefi  af  images,  appeal  to  the  confidence,  and  that  pic- 


YOUNGLADY.  37 

turefus  difplay  of  heaven  and  hell,  which  give'  fuch  an 
unftion  to  the  ivriiings  of  St.  Paul,  and  of  the  father;.-^ 
They  do  not  thunder  and  lighten  at  the  finner  ;  they  do  not 
carry  us,  by  a  whirlwind,  into  heaven,  andjhciv  us.  thrones 
end  fceptres  ■>  they  convince,  but  they  do  /inanimate  j  they 
glitter,  but  they  do  not  warm. 

Ancient  divines  have  more  fin  and  matter.  \Xhey  Jiudied 
the  fcriptures  more  than  human fyfl 'ems.  3  They  vjere fil- 
ed with  the  fpirit  5"  they  were  men  of  ivatchfulncfs  and 
prayers.  A  pre- fane  jjririt  of  criticifm  or  of  philfophy,  faffe* 
Ivfo  called,  mike  u.i  Cold  and  languid*  In  pervading  many 
famed  or  fplendid  pages,  the  heart  is  often  left  devoid  of  one 
pious  emotion. 

Many  fermons,  no  doubt,  are  to  be  excepted  from  this  cen- 
Inre.  Thofc  of  Archbijhop  Seeker  ,  contain  a  fund  of  jo  lid 
matter,  piety  and  in/lruclion  ;  but  the  ftyle  is  rather  fimgu- 
lar  and  uncouth.  The  marble  is  rich,  but  it  is  unpolifli'-J. 
There  is  ftch  a  thdnz  as  an  elegant  fimplicity.  Seeker  had 
a  jlmplicity,  without  this  elegance. 

Few  prelates,  however,  have  deferved  fo  well  from  the 
church  or  pojlerity.  The  metropolitan,  though  placed  in  the 
b-fm  of  a  court,  had  neither  pride,  indolence,  nor  adulation. 
His  vigilance  Was  extraordinary  ;  his  labours  unremitting, 
and  his  crofter  but  an  'unpcrfetl  emblem  of  the  real  pa  floral 
%eal,  "  which  ate  up  his  foul.'"  The  pre  fat  bijhop  of  Lon- 
don has  all  the  fimplicity  of  his  ill  a fl  nous  patron,  tiffued 
with  that  elegance  which  the  archbijhop  wanted.      His  fcr- 

D 


38  LETTERS    to    a 

mons  have  been  univerfaily  read  ;  they  are  Written  On  a 
truly  evangelical  plan  \  and  th;ir  objeel  is  not  merely  to  fit- 
iii ufe,  but  to  injlrucl  and  edify. 


LETTER      XIII. 


E 


rVERY  per/on  fbruH  read  the  difcourfes  of  Sherhck, 
vfba  wi/hes  to  fee  the  grand  taurines  of  cbriftlanity  proper- 
ly ilijfl  rated,  aid  enforced  with  equal  energy  of  argument 
and  language.  Sherlock  is  one  of  the  few  original  writers 
offermons.  He  is  the  Loch  of  divinity,  who  anatomizes, 
the  whole  fy  (I  em,  and  dif plays  its  component  parts. 

Many  authors  glean  all  their  matter  from  other  bwfo. — 
He  borrowed  his  from  the  fcriptures  and  refeclion.      He 
thought  many  hours,  for  writing  one.      If  all  men  did  the 
fame,  the  prefs  would  not  groan  with  fuck  continual  abor- 
tions. 

Ogden's  Sermons  have  very  great  Original  merit.  Per- 
haps I  mifcalled  them  ;  they  are,  more  properly,  /ketches 
on  facredfubjetfs ;  on  the  fundamental  articles  of  the  chrif 
tian  faith.  There  is  more  vigour,  and  energy  and  convic- 
tion in  one  page  of  this  writer,  than  in  whole  volumes  of 
fome  others,  who  have  received  a  much  mors  general applauf. 
The  docltr  fcems  particularly  to  have  fludied  concifenefy 
and  his  miniature  plan  fomstimes  leaves  the  features  of  his 
pieces  indiflincl*     There  is  afingular  abruptnefs  in  his  tran- 


YOUNG     LADY.  30 


fit  urns,  and  the  mi >:d  is  frequently  obliged  to  paufe>  in  order 
to  df cover  the  invifible  connexion,  and  unite  the  feemingly 
broken  chain  of  ideas,  Thrfe  difcourfes  were,  probably y  in 
their  original  yft/fr,  much  more  diffufe.  He  retrenched, 
by  degrees,  and,  as  an  ingenious  French  writer  once  f aid, 
"  had  ieijure  to  be  concife." 


LETTER     XIV. 

HERE  is  more  popular  eloquence,  argument  and  pa- 
thos in  Archbijhop  Tillotfon,  than  in  almofiany  ancient  wri- 
ter of  fermons,  that  I  recoiled  :  But  his  works  are  much 
incumbered  with  the  fcholajlic  divinity  of  his  age,  and 
Jfrangely  perplexed  with  divifions  and  fubdivifions.  Unity 
of  deftgn  it  the  beauty  of  all  writings,  A  religious  d'feurf 
Jhould  tend  only  to  the  enforcing  of  one  grand  point.  This 
JJjouJd,  always  y  be  kept  in  fight,  and  the  way  to  it  Jhould  b.? 
as  diretl*  concife  and  fimple  as  pojfib/e.  Divines,  of  the  lali 
century,  fpent  more  time  in  proving  what  was  felf- evident, 
and  illufl  rating  it  by  learned  quotations ,  than  would  have 
fufficed  for  inculcating  fouie  lejfon  of  piety,  that  would  never 
have  been  forgotten.  Modern  writers  have  judicioufy  cor- 
retted  this  mi/lake*  They  come  npre  immediately  to 
the  point,  and  would  think  it  as  downright  pedantry  to  amufe 
their  hear  en  with  a  long  lift  cf  writers,  as  to  retail 
J.raps  of  Greek  or  Latin  in  converjation. 


j-o  LBT.TE  It  3    to    a 

•     /'-  '  -  pit -pit  Q  ,     n?:t\    fir    the 

'■  ah  ad- 

t  to  me  he 

accful,  than  frcible^  and  more 

I  )  or  court  ; 

vcr  rich)   c.thfldt  but  have  an 

uninterefHng  un  formity.     He  is  invariably  a  fine,  floiv~ 

ch  o- 
lows  its  banfoy  carries  ail  be/art  it,  and  gives  us  tie  idea 
offubiimity  and  grandeur.       Nature  would  have  tired,   if 
■    bad  prcfented  us  with  nztling  but  fine,   level,  extended 
lawns.      She  has  wifely  intermixed  wild  heath:,    barren 
rocks,    .  precipices^  in  her  infinitely  beautiful  and 

van-      it  i#njfcqpn* 


LETTER     XV. 

X  HE  late  unfortunate  Dr.  Dodd,  owed,  I  fhoultf 
conceive,  his  great  popularity,  to  the  advantage  of  his 
voice,  perfon,  manner,  gefture  and  addrefs.  For,  in- 
deed, his  compofitions  have  not  intrinfic  merit  enough 
to  have  challenged  any  extraordinary  applaufe. 

Weak,  fiimfy,   fuperficial  in  his  arguments,  and  ra- 
ther plaufible,  than  energetic  in  his  language,  it  mull 


YOUNG    LADY.  41 

have  beer:  only  the  popularity  of  his  fubjec'ts,  the  new 
vein  of  pathetic,  which  he  attempted,  and  his  fortunate 
congenial  fituation  at  the  Magdalen,  and  in  a  metropo- 
lis, which,  under  the  management  of  fuch  advantages, 
procured  him  his  extenfive  temporary  reputation. 

But  alas  !  his  popularity  was  very  dearly  purchafed  ! 
It  was  built  on  the  ruins  of  his  innocence  and  virtue. 
Happy,  if  he  had  lived  and  died  in  obfcuriry,  or  been 
an  humble  curate  in  fome  fequeftered  village,  where 
jafmines  had  claiped  round  his  unenvied  manfion, 
with  unenlightened  ruftics  only  for  his  aflbciates  !  Ad- 
miration would  not  then  have  dazzled  his  eyes.  His 
vanity  could  not  have  fought  thofe  unequal  connections 
which  he  afterwards  found  him felf  unable  to  fupport,  - 
nor  expenfwe  pleafures  led  him  to  an  action  which 
wounded  religion  in  its  very  vitals,  and  brought  fo 
much  difgrace  on  his  facred  profefiion. 

He  might  then,  like  many  other  excellent  men,  have 
"  fallen  aileep,"  amidft  the  tender  offices  of  bewailing 
friends ;  and  grateful  villagers  would  have  wetted  his 
monument  with  tears  of  heart-felt  gratitude  and  ef- 
teem.  He  is  now  a  beacon,  rifing  hi^h  in  the  bofom  of 
the  ocean,  which  fays  to  the  wary  mariner,  "beware  of 
"  rocks  and  quickfands."  It  has  been  faid,  thaj  Dcdd, 
in  the  beginning  of  his  facred  office,  was  remarkably 
pious.  What  is  the  conclufion  ?  Hear  it  from  com- 
panion.    Bathed  in  tears,  (lie  lifts  up  her  voice,  and 

D3 


42  LETTERS    to   a 

cries  aloud,  u  Let  him  who  thinketh  he  ftandcth,  take 
heed,  left  he  fall.'' 

Faringdon's  Sermons  have  very  lingular  merit.  It 
is  but  feldom  that  To  much  vivacity  finds  its  way  into 
this  fpecies  of  writing.  They  will  improve  your  heart, 
they  will  pleafe  your  tafte,  and  enchant  your  imagina- 
tion. It  is  many  years  fince  I  read  them;  but  theim- 
preflion  they  made  upon  my  mind  will  never  be  erafed. 

If  I  durft,  invldioufly,  amidft  their  many  excellencies, 
mention  a  defect,  it  is,  that  they  are  not  fufficiently 
full  oi  fcr'iptural  allufions.  It  is  amazing  what  force 
and  energy  the  judicious  introduction  of  fcriptural  paf- 
fages,  authorities  and  imaees  gives  to  difcourfes  of  this 
nature.  The  reft  may  he  the  ingenious  conjectures  of 
the  author.  Tbefe  ftrike  the  reader  with  all  the  cer- 
tainty and  irrefiilible  evidence  of  mathematical  demon- 
ftration. 

Though  genius  and  tnfte  may  be  permitted  to  em* 
fattjh,  the  facred  writings  fhould  be  the  ground-work  of 
all  pulpit-productions.     They  fhould  check  our  flights 
into  the  regions  of  fancy,  and  they  fhould  guide   us* 
through  the  bewildering  mazes  of  metaphyfics. 

Faringdon  is  long  fince  dead,  but  ihireal*  author  of 
of  thefe  Difcourfes  is  yet  alive.  I  have  long  had  the 
honour  of  knowing  him,  and  as  long  have  admired  his 

*  Rev.  Mr.  O— — n,  Rcftor  of  W n. 


YOUNG    LADY.  43 

talents.  And  of  his  virtues  and  great  benevolence,  he 
exhibited,  I  think,  no  ordinary  proof,  when,  to  ferve 
the  family  of  a  deceafed  brother  clergyman  he  gave  his 
time,  his  labour,  his  abilities,  and  (what  is  more)  de- 
nied himfelf  the  dazzling  profpect.  of  reputation, 


LETTER      XVT. 


Y 


OL'NG  people  are  in  raptures  with  (what  they 
chafe  to  cal!)  Sterne's  Sermons.  But  true  criticifm 
will  not  give  them  fo  dignified  a  name.  They  are  the 
facred  itories  ol  fcripture,  err.bellifhed  with  his  original 
talent  at  the  defer' ptivc  znd  pathetic.  They  are  his 
fentimmtal  journey  to  Zion  ;  but  hive  little  more  of 
true  divinity  in  them,  thafl  they  might  hive  had,  if-fuen 
an  heavenly  peffohafgg  as  Jefus  GfiVift,  had  never  lived 
in  th.e  world,  nor  pub!  1 -bed  his  goYper. 

Sermons,  that  aim  only  to  amup  or  enteYta'in^  are  be- 
neath the  pulpit.  Thev  are  the  moral  beawf.n  of  di- 
vines ;  an  attempt  to  mix  all  the  colours  of  the  rain- 
bow, with  the  dark  fo'emnity  of  a  moft  fcridus  garb. 
They  are  mufic  playing  iri  the  ears  of  a  man,  whole 
houfe  is  on  fire,  and  can  only  beguile  the  moment  which 
ihould  be  fpent  in  faving  all  the  valuables  of  his  fur- 


44  LETTERS   to   a 

niture,   and  efcaping  for  his  life.     Difcourfcs  of  this 
nature,  mould  alarm  the  conference  ;  fhould  difplay  at 
once,  our  mifery,  and  the  mode  of  cure ;  fhould  probe 
all  the  rankling  fores  of  the  heart,   and  pour  in  the*' 
precious  oil  of  divine  confolation. 

Sterne  was  a  very  great,  eccentric,  original  genius, 
but  he  was  never  formed  for  a  clergyman.  He  had  a 
levity  of  mind,  that  ill  befitted  fo  ferious  a  character. ' 
What  painter,  in  fancying  an  altar-piece,  would  have 
grouped  a  beau  d'efprit,  or  a  facetious  hon  v'want^  with 
our  Saviour  and  his  apoftl'es  at  the  laft  fupper. 


LETTER      XVII. 

1  HE  Chriftian  Pattern  will  abundantly  recom- 
mend itfelf  by  the  name.  Tire  tranflation  of  it,  by 
Stanhope,  is  too  diffufe.  Wefley  h^sy  more  faithfully, 
preferved  the  fpirit  and  concife  energy  of  the  excellent 
original. 

The  fingular  merit  of  this  little  book,  is  obvious, 
from  its  tranflation  into  almoft  all  languages.  Gan- 
gaoelli  afcribes  it,  with  pride,  to  an  Italian  author :  But, 
whatever  country  gave  it  birth,  it  is  filled  with  a  facred 
unction,  and  "  the  wifdom  which  cometh  from  above." 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  £ 

Read  a  chapter  of  it  every  clay,  and  you  will  never  want 
a  fund  of  chriltian  meditations. 

There  is  more  true  piety  and  information,  couched 
in  reflections  on  the  feven  days  of  the  week,  by  Mrs. 
Talbot,  than  you  will  fometimes  meet  with  in  large 
and  fplendid  volumes.  You  cannot  have  a  better  train 
of  reflections  for  the  beginning  of  your  every  day. — 
This  good  lady  lived  rri  the  family  of  Archbiihop  Seek- 
er, and  fcems  to  have  imbibed  that  fpirit  of  piety, 
which  fo  eminently  diftinguimed  this  illustrious  pre- 
late. She  is  long  fince  CQzd  :  but  her  little  book  will 
live  in  the  hearts  of  the  pious,  when  time  has  tarnifli- 
ed  all  the  luftre  of  more  founding  names. 

■~v''-v.        »    ■  —■ 

I  have  always  thought  that  little,  fliort  treatifes  of 
this  kind,  have  done  the  moft  extenfive  good.  We 
can  carry  them  about  us>  and  the  (3<e  does  not  deter 
us  from  looking  within.  People  will  not  read  large 
treatifes  of  religion,  and  writers,  in  this  refpecl:,  mould 
accommodate  themfdvesto  the  wedknefs  of  mankind. 
Tender  ftomachs  cannot  digeft  rich,  fubltantial  food, 
nor  much  at  a  time. 

Addifon's  Saturday's  papers  are  all  of  them  inimita- 
ble. They  contain  a  rich  fund  of  knowledge  and  en- 
tertainment, raife  the  imagination,  and  improve  the 
heurt.  The  good  man  very  judicioufiy  appointed  them 
for  Saturdays.  They  are  the  belt  preparatives  for  be- 
ing "  truly  in  the  fpirit,  on  the  Lord's  day," 

Scott  is  not,  perhaps,  a  lively  or  entertaining  writer, 
but  his  Chriftian  Life  is  a  moft  excellent  and  rational 


46-  LETTERS    to   a 

fyftem  of  divinity.  Indeed,  fubjecls  of  this  nature,  do 
not  admit  of  fo  much  colourings  as  fome  others.  Ima- 
gination may  better  lend  its  charms  to  painters,  poets, 
orators,  than  to  fyftematic  divines.  I  think,  however, 
that,  even  on  facred  topics,  genius  might  more  fre- 
quently embellifh  than  it  does.  Young  people  wilj  have 
language,  pathos  and  picturefque  images,  or  they  will 
not  read.  Some  little  condefcenfion  is  due  to  their 
wealcnefs.  Children  muft  be  cheated  into  the  taking 
of  ufeful  medicines.  The  pill  mould  be  gilded,  and 
the  bitter  mixed  with  a  fweet. 


L    E    T    T    E    R       XVIII. 

X  HE  immortal  Locke  analiz^d  the  powers  of  the 
human  underftanding.  Mafon,  on  Self-knowledge,  is 
the  anatomift  of  the  heart.  If  you  would  fee  yourfelf 
in  your  true  colours,  you  muft  be  ^//yconverfant  with 
this  book.  You  (hould  take  it  to  your  pillow  when 
you  go  to  fleep.  You  mould  read  it  when  you  rife. — 
It  has,  however,  in  my  idea,  one  capital  defect.  It  is 
too  much  ramified  into  heads,  divifions  and  fubdivifi- 
ons.  The  fize  of  the  houfe  is  too  fmall  for  the  nu- 
merous apartments. 


YOUNG    LADY,  47 

Though  I  am,  by  no  means,  partial  to  the  later 
fanciful  writings  of  Mr.  Law,  1  will  venture  to  recom- 
mend the  two  firft  books  he  ever  produced,  his  Serious 
Call  and  Chrittian  Perfection.  They  are  very  awak- 
ening, animated  treatifes,  written  with  great  fimplicity 
of  iVyle,  ftrength  of  argument,  and  originality  of  man- 
ner. His  Miranda  is  a  very  amiable  character  ;  and, 
though  her  piety  has  fomething  of  the  monadic,  in  its 
air,  there  are  traits  in  the  portrait  that,  defer ve  your 
emulation. 

One  cannot  recoiled  the  beginning  of  this  good  man's 
life,  whan  his  conceptions  were  [o  clear,  and  his  man- 
ner fo  impafloned,  without  ihuddering  at  the  danger 
of  giving  way  to  fanciful  theories,  or  vifionary  writers. 
It  is  wonderful,  that  fo  v:ry  difcrimimting  a  genius 
fhould  have  been,  afterwards,  ilnckled  with  the  fpiritu- 
archymiilry,  and  the  unintelligible  rhapfadies  of  Beh- 
men.  But  even  the  great  and  amiable  Fenelon  was 
the  difciple  of  a  vifionary.  He,  who  wrote  Telema- 
chus,  fell  into  reveries.  "We  have  this  treafure  in 
earthen  veiTeis,  and  it  will  be  tinged  with  our  particu- 
lar complexions." 


■BaanBBwaaes 


LETTER     XIX. 


Y 


OUNG's-   Night -Thoughts    have    confidernblc 
merit,   and    may  occafionally  be  read  with  advantage  : 


48  LETTERS    to    a 

But  they  are  much  difcoloared  with  melancholy,  and 
give  chrirtianity,  which  i*  a  neerful,  to  j  dark  a 

complexion. 

Born  with  no  decider  (hare  of  ambition,  Young  had 
anxioully  and  wtfntcefiftrtty  courted  promotion.  T\m 
bubble  always  bar  ft,  a;  he  attempted  to  grafj>  it  j  the 
jvnis  futwii  deluded  him,  as  it  his  done  thoufands  bo- 
lides. Difappointment  is  generally  followed  with  dif- 
gurt,  and  difguit  will  always  dictate  to  P&e  pen. 

With  all  that  fenfibiiity,  which  is  the  infepanble' 
concomitant  of  genius,  the  author  of  the  Night- 
Thoughts  had  likewife  the  misfortune  to  be  deprived, 
by  an  early  death,  of  feveral  of  thole  relatives,  from 
whole  tender  orHces  and  footing  attentions,  he  might 
naturally  have  expe:ie.l,  in  the  evening  of  *  ghmj  life, 
to  have  received  fari:  co  ofolad on.  His  poems,  there- 
fore, hive  m.i:h  th*  (train  of  elegy,  and  his  piety  is 
b  eitJied  tti  figlis:  But  his  flight-  rhoughts  have  a- 
wikened  truivimo  ferioulhefs,  and  you  mad  take  them, 
as  you  do  all  ofbir  human  things,  with  their  good  and 
their  bad.  The  bdghtefr.  peari  is  furrounded  with  a 
iu  id.  It  is  the  bufinek  of  tafte  and  judgment  to  make 
the  fcparation. 

The  works  of  Wilfon  (the  once  bifhop  of  Sodor 
and  Alan)  are  a  treafure  of  plain,  pruilical  devotion. 
His  Indian  inftrufied,  his  Parochially  his  Sacra  Ptivd- 
ta,  and  his  treathe  on  the  fae'ramentj  are  all  ferious  and 
interesting. 


YOU  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  49 

This  good  prelate  has  not  difplayed  much  genius  or 
learning  :  But  his  writings  are  ufcful,  in  proportion  to 
their  plainncfs,  and  will  edify  thoufands,  who  could  ne- 
ver have  comprehended  the  depths  of  learning,  or  the 
fubtilties  of  metaphyfics. 

Thrown  into  an  ignorant  and  fuperftitious  diocefe,  lie 
ftooped  to  the  level  of  the  meaneft  understanding. — 
He  confidered  himfelf  as  the  father  of  his  people,  and 
they  paid  him  a  filial  duty  and  refpe£t.  The  iflandcr 
Jiill  vifits  his  grave,  and  weeps  at  the  recollection  of  his 
deceafed  virtues.  Such  bifhops  will  live  in  the  memo- 
ry of  the  faithful,  when  fplendor  is  forgotten.  His 
labours  were  unremitting,  his  zeal  primitive ;  and  if 
he  gave  no  brilliance  to  the  mitre,  he  added  to  its  folid 
weight. 


L     E     T    T    E     R      XX. 

Jl  HE  meditations  of  St.  Auflin  are, admirable,  but 
have  Suffered  not  a  little  from  the.tranflation.  It  is,  I 
i till  repeat  it,  in  thefe  old  books,  that  we  chiefly  find  the 
true  fpirit  of  piety.  Has  it  evaporated,  like  fome  mi- 
ncral  waters,  by  a  long  prefcrvatipn  r  Or  is  it  that  we 
would  be  men  of  philosophy  and  :criticifm,  rather  than 
divines  \  A  modem  theologian  plays -about  the  headyhut 
Scarcely  warms  the  heart  -f  an  cuicicnt  writer  carries  vs. 

£ 


Sc  LEI    T  £  R  S 


•10     A 


by  an  irrenYtible  impulie,  into  heaven,  and  fills  us  with 
all  the  raptures  of  devotion. 

The  difference  will  be  very  forcibly  illuftrated  by  the 
different  conftruction  of  ancient  and  modern  churches. 
rFhe  wide  magnificence,  the  luminous  darknefs,  the 
mouldering  walls  and  long  drawn  aile  of  gothic  itruc- 
tures,  infpire  us  with  a  pleafmg  melancholy,  thought- 
fulnefs  and  devotion  ;  whijfi  the  glaring  light,  artifici- 
al ornaments,  primnefs  and  convenience  of  our  modem 
fynagogues  fill  us  only  with  little  worldly  ideas  of  ele- 
gance and  tafte. 

Eeveridge's  private  thoughts  and  refolutions  richly 
deferve  a  place  in  your  collection.  They  are  not  ani- 
mated or  elegant,  but  they  are  pious  and  ufcful.  He 
is  one  of  thofe  hofpitable  friends,  that  gives  us  a  very 
comfortable  and  rich  repaft,  without  ceremony  or  often- 
lation. 

Taylor  is  the  Shakefpeare  of  divinity.  The  fer- 
tility of  his  invention,  the  force  of  his  arguments,  the 
richnefs  of  his  images,  and  the  copioufnefs  of  his  ftyle, 
are  not  often  to  be  paralleled  in  the  works  of  ancient 
or  modern  writers.  His  holy  living  and  dying  is  a  chef 
oceuvre. 

I  do  not  remember  to  have  received  more  pleafure 
and  improvement  from  any  book  that  I  have  read  for 
fome  time  paft,  than  from  the  two  firlt  volumes  of  Gan- 
ganelli's  Letters.  Befides  being  furprized  to  fee  fuch 
a  generous  mode  of  thinking  in  the :  fovereign  pontiff, 
[o  much  vivacity  in  a  monk,  tempered  with  ib  great  a 
fhare  of  unaffe6ted  piety,  I  was  quite  charmed  with 
the  fimplicity  of  his  ftyle,  the  beauty  of  his  metaphors) 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  51 

and  that  fpirit  of  philanthropy,  which  pervades  the 
whole,  and  does,  all  along*,  more  honour  to  his  heart, 
than  his  eafy  periods  to  his  underftahding. 

There  is  fomething  m  the  climate  of  Italy,  which 
wonderfully  heats  and  fublimes  the  imagination.  It  is 
the  garden  of  Europe,  and  its  writers  breathe  that  a- 
yreeable  perfume  with  which  it  is  fcented.  Gangnnd- 
li's  d*fcription  of  this  country  is  particularly  fplendid. 
His  flatues  breathe.  His  torrents  abfolutely  murmur 
on  the  ear.  His  cliffs  have  an  impending  horror  on  the 
fancy,  and  his  gardens  waft  upon  us  aromatic  fmells.  I 
would  (till  gladly  hope,  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been 
advanced  to.  the  contrary,  that  thefe  letters  really  came 
from  this  diftinguifhed  peiTon.  I  am  not  willing  to 
give  up  the  idea,  that  liberality  of  fentiment  has  extend- 
ed itfelf  even  to  the  papal  throne. 


LETT     E     R      XXI, 

MY    DEAR   LUCY, 


Y 


OU  would  oblerve  from  the  complexion  of  my 
lalt  letter,  that  I  have  recommended  writers  of  very  dif- 
ferent fe£ts,  and  from  various  denominations  of  cbrifti- 
afts.  The  truth  is,  I  have  confulered  their  Jpirit  and 
tending  and  not  their  name  or  party.     I  do  not  want  to 

E-2 


52  LRTTE  RS«  to  a 

make  you  a  mcthcdift,  a  dhTenrer,  a  myitic,  a  papiff,  a 
fanatic,  an  enthufiaft,  or  any  thing  but  a- real  chriftian. 
I  mould  with  to  diveft  your  mind  of  every  fpecies  of  bi- 
gotry, and  convince  you,  that  real  piety  has  exifted  un- 
der every  communion. 

When  your  judgment  is  more  matured,  you  (hould 
examine  authors  of  all  different  perfuafions,  as  the  Gre- 
cian artift  did  women,  when  he  wifhed  to  paint  his  Ve- 
nus of  Medici.  He  fele&ed  from  every  one  he  fav/K 
that  particular  limb  or  feature,  in  which  they  fffaratdy 
excelled.  From  one,  he  borrowed  the  moft  beautiful' 
eye  ;  from  another,  a  hand  ;  from  a  third,  a  bofom,&c. 
Thefe,  by  a  wonderful  effort  of  genius,  he  combined 
into  a  perfect  whole. 

All  fyftems,  like  all  human  figures*  have  their  dcfecls; 
but  they  have,  iikewife,  their  excellencies.  Collect 
thefe  diftinc~i  charms,  and'  work  them  up  in  the  crucible 
of  your  heart,  till  they  produce  "the  very  beauty  of 
holinefs"  in  your  life  and  converfation. 

Above  all,  look  through  all  books  and  forms  and  or» 
di  nances,  up  to  your  God.  Cherifh,  by  every  method,, 
a  fpirit  of  cfevotion.  Set  the  Lord  always  before  you. 
Confider  him  as  the  foul  of  the  world,  the  Alpha  and 
Omet>a,  the  beginning  2nd  the  end.  Think,  a&,  live, 
as  in  his  prefence,  and  do  every  thine;  to  his  glory.  J]e- 
gin,  continue  and  end  evcrv  day,  as  m  his  fight,  nnd 
every  action  as  under  his  dire&ron*  Remember  that 
all  things  on  earth  are  rut  a  rTradow  ;  that  time  is  turn- 
down the  fvftem  of  the  univerfe,  and  that  religion 
0  .  cap  rife  upon  the  ruins,  by  rhe  labours  it  has  in- 
•"erlbed  to  Eternity  and  God. 


V  O  U  N  G     LAD  Y,  53 


L    E     T    T    E    R      XXII. 


MY    DEAR    GIRL, 

X    HOUGH  //  may  appear  to   be  dealing  Veith  you  vt 

dry,  abjlraclcdfubjecls  above  your  age,  yet  I  do  think  it  ne- 
cefjaiy,  that  youjhould  under]} and  the  grounds  on  which  your 
faith  is  built,  or  the  testimony  which  confirms  the  truth  of 
chrijlianity,  and  of  the  fcriptures.  Ton  will 'thus  be  prefer- 
red from  an  uncomfortable  fluctuation  of  opinions,  and 
guarded  from  the  falfe  infinuations  of  thfe  that  lie  in  wait 
to  'deceive. 

I  believe,  indeed,  ive  very  fa'fsly  efiimate  the  period  at 
which  the  talents  of  women  begin  to  open,  as  wed  as  the  de- 
gree of  their  extent 'and  co?nprtl:cufon,  and  jupercilioufy 
withhold  from  you  that  felid  information,  ivhich,  alone,  in  ei- 
rher/£.v,  can  be  the  true  foundation  of  a  rational,  a  fleady 
and  confident  ecnducl, 
*   This  tell i many  in  favour  of  revelation,  is  divided,  for  the 

fake  of  order,  into  tw o  kinds,  internal  And  externah      The 
internal  is  that  which  arifs  from  the  nature  and  excellent} 
cf  the  precepts  themfelves,  and  from  the  writers  having. 
had  no  private  or  fivfler  vinvs  to  unfwer,  but  confi dting  only' 
the  general  good  and  edification  of  mankind. 

This  firft  mark  of  authenticity  isfi  :el  fa  every  page  of  the 

jcriptures.      The  laws  of  ■  hr'ill  are  of  fifth  a  nature,   as  no 
man  would have  framed,  who  wified  to  avail  hirfidfef  the 

£3 


54  LETTERS   to   a 

faffions,  prejudices  and  vnterefls  of  mankind';  for  they  pre- 
fcribc,  on  the  ether  bandy  an  univcrfal humility,  mortification 
and  fclf-denial;  exhibit,  in  thefhonvrft  colours,  the  empti- 
nefs  of  riches,  and  the  vanity  of  ambition,  and  have  no  other 
view,  but  to  elevate  the  affetlions,  regenerate  the  heart,  and 
put  oilmen  on  looking  bey  end  the  tranfient  concert,  $  cf  this  life 
to  the  happinefs  of  another^  What  elfe  could  happen  to  the  o- 
riginal  prtmulgers  of  theft  lazusy  but  that  which  actually  did 
violence  and perfecutlon  ? 

Our  hleffed Lord  pofnively  declared  that  his  k'mgdom  was* 
not  of  this  world.  He  fought  none  of  its  dijlintlions,  and  he 
received  none,  vnhjsly  ajlrange  perverfton  of  ideas,  we  place 
them  in  the  poverty  of  a  mangerr  or  the  tortures  of  his  crop. 
His  apoftles  were  infamed  with  the  very  fame  difintercfted 
zeal.  They  willingly  rcftgned  lucrative  employments,  at  the 
call  of   their  mafler  ;    thy  cheerfully  abandoned  weeping 

friends ;  undertook  the  moft  hazardous  voyages  and  travels  ; 
had  no  reji  day  or  night,  were  carried  before  kings  and  gover- 
nors of  the  earth,  u  and  even  hated  by  all  men  for  his  name's 

faker 

Read  the  account  of  their  labours,  per ficution,  banifloment, 
death  \  pcrufe  the  hiflory  of  all  the  martyrs,  written  with 
their  blood,  and  tell  me  whether  their  zeal  mujl  not  have  come 

from  heaven,  or  what  could  ever  have  infpired  it,  but  aftneert 
conviction  of  duty,  "  //  faith  which  looked  to   a  city  with 

fowubtioni,  whofi  Buihhr  and  Maker  was  God." 


Y  O  U  N  GLAD  Y.  55 

L    E     T     t    E     R      XXI II. 

;-  HINK,  my  dear  girl,  for  yourfelf.  Arc  there  a  - 
ny  marks  of  fecular  wifdom  or  policy,  or  impoflure,  in 
the  conduct  of  the  primitive  apoftles  2nd  chrifti^ns  ? 
Examine  the  hiftory  of  the  whole  -world,  as  it  relates 
to  religion,  and  where  elje  will  you  difcovcr  any  portion 
of  the  fame  difintereftcd  fpirir,  which  adiuated  thefe  o- 
riginal  publidiers  of  the  gofpel  ? 

The  Roman  emperor  instituted  3  facrcd  code  to 
work  upon  the  conferences,  and  to  keep  the  minds  of  a 
favage  and  a  barbarous  people  in  fubjecYion  \o  gov  err.- 
mtnt.  Zoroafter,  Lycurgus,  Solon,  all  celebrated  in 
their  day,  and  certainly  men  of  extraordinary  talent.^ 
had  more  a  view  to  policy,  than  any  moral  intereits,  in 
their  refpecYive  fyftenis  of  legislation.  Mahomet  a- 
vailed  himfclf  of  the  narrow, /^'a/ views  and  paffions 
of  his  followers,  and  of  the  particular  complexion  and 
diiTentions  of  his  times,  merely  to  be  the  fole,  exclu- 
five  monarch  of  an  extenfive  empire,  and  procure  a  lit- 
tle fading  honour  and  diftmcYion. 

u  The  kingdom  of  all  thefe  men  was  certainly  of 
this  world,"  and  their  laws,  in  many  inrtances,  were  re- 
pugnant to  right  reafon,  and  the  beft  and  deareft  inter- 
efts  of  their  fellow  crearures.  Of  Chrift,  his  very  ene- 
mies faid,  "  never  man  fpake  like  this  man  ;"  his  in- 
junctions had  but  one  afpeel — to  unlvetfil  happinefs, 
and  one  fimplc  method  to  it — univerfal  reformation—- 


LETTERS   to  a 

The  angels  that  announced  him,  at  his  firft  appearance, 
proclaimed  "peace  on  earth,  and  good-will  towards 
men." 

Nor  is  the  wonderful  trogrcfs  of  this  religion,  in  to 
fliort  a  lpace  of  time,  over  all  Afia,  and  a  great  part  of 
huiope,  indeed  over  almoft  thtivbolg  of  the,  tben^  known 
world,  the  lead:  convincing  proof  of  its  divine  original, 
Confider  the  miffionapes-^ illiterate  fifhennen  and  me- 
chanics, and  you  mud  conclude,  either  that  they  were 
endowed  with  fufcrnatural  gifts  and  afMance,  or  that 
their  wonderful  fuccefs  was  even  a  greater  miracle  than 
the  endowment  you  difpute. 

On  this  fubjecl,  permit  me  to  recommend  to  your 
ferious  perufal,  Soame  Jenyns'  Internal  Lvidence  of 
the  Chriftian  Religion.  He  is,  on  the  whole,  a  fanci- 
ful wrirer  j  but  this  is  an  excellent  little  book,  thVt  has 
done  much  good,  and  comes  with  greater  force  to  eve- 
ry bofom,  as  he  was  once,  according  to  his  own  candid 
confefiion,  in  the  number  of  thofe  who  difputed  the" 
facred  truths  of  revelation.  You,  will  reccivq  great 
plcafure  and  improvement,  likewise,  from  Adu'ifcn's  E- 
vidences  of  Chiil'tianity,  arranged  and  collected  into  one 
volume,  and  from  a  late  fimilar  production  of  the  ce- 
lebrated Dr.  Beattie. 

Every  word  q£  the  fcripturts,  indeed,  muft  convince 
any  candid  or  thoughtful  perfon  that  they  come  from, 
God.  The  prions,  pride,  vices  andinterefts  of  man- 
kind, have  induced  not  a  few  to  fer  up  for  fceptics. —  . 
11  Much  learning  has  made  them  mad,"  or  a  little  has 
rendered   them  frivolous  and    conceited.     They  haye 


YOUNG    L  A  D  Y,  57 

fought  only  to  diftinguifh  thcmfelves  fcy  uncommon 
opinions;  they  have  been  dupes  to  their  own  fancied 
penetration  ;  they  have  attempted  to  grafp  the  imtnerw 
fity  of  the  Deity,  in  arms  of  flejh^  or  have  fhrunk  into 
fcepticifm,  as  a  refuge  from  their  vices. 

Hear  what  the  fcripture  faith,  "  Every  one  that  do- 
"  eth  evil,  hateth' the  light,  neither  cometh  to  the  light* 
M  left  his  deeds  Jhouhl  be  reproved.  Except  ye  be- 
"  come  as  little  children  (humble,  docile,  tractable)  ye 
u  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  How 
"  can  ye  believe,  which  receive  honour  one  of  another, 
u  and  feek  not  the  honour  which  cometh  of  God  on- 


LETTER      XXIV, 


T. 


HE  external  teflimony,  in  favour  of  the  chriflian 
religion,  arifes  from  prophecy,  miracles,  and  the  cor- 
refponding  evidence  of  hiftory.  And  thefe  feetn  to  in- 
clude all  the  probable  methods  which  heaven  could  em- 
ploy  fori  he  converfion  of  mankind. 

The  whole  facred  book  of  the  Old'Teftament  is, 
from  beginning  to  end",  a  clear  prediction  of  the  Medi- 
an. One  of  the  prophets  has  foretold  the  p-reciil*  vear, 
in  which  this  "  righteous  branch"  mould  make  his  ap- 
pearance. And  tins  event,  you  know,  las  taken  placer 
to  the  comfort  of  the  chriilian  world. 


58  LETTERS    to    a 

Others  hive  predicted  the  definition  of  Jerufah 
Babylon,  Tyre,  the  difperiion  and  calamities  of  the 
Jews,  &c.   long  before  they  happened  ;  and  all  profane 
hiftory,  which  has  been  written  fince  their  time,  will 
inform  you,  that  thefe  awful  jr  '  wonder- 

fully accomplished,  in  their  |  r 

The  Revelation  contains  darker  hints  of  fome  events, 
that  are  vifibly,  though  gradualk,  fulfilling  at  this  mo- 
ment. But  as  I  can  only  glance  at  the  fiibject,  you  will 
fee  it  treated  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  confirm  your 
faith  and  exalt  your  devotion,  in  the  lateBifhop  of  Brif- 
toJ  (Dr.  Newton's)  difcourfes  on  the  Prophecies. 

The  miracles  of  our  Saviour,  and  of  his  immediate 
apoftles,  meet  you  in  every  page  of  the  infpired  book; 
and  in/>ro/^z*hiitory,  you  will  learn  from,  thofe  who 
were  avowed  enemies  to  the  caufe,  that,  at  a  particular 
period  of  time,  there  did  ex  id  fuch  a  facred  perfonage 
as  Jefus  Chrift,  who  wrought  miracles,  healed  the  fick,. 
and  railed  the  dead  ;  fuch  a  fcR,  as  that  of  Chriftians, 
who  met  to  receive  the  facrament,  who  bound  thera- 
fefveg  by  this  oath,  to  commit  no  iniquity,  pracliied  a 
wonderful  innocence  and  auftcrity  of  manners,  and, 
beyond  all  example,  loved  one  another.  You  will  fee 
likewife,  in  the  fame  pages,  a  full  defcription  of  their 
manners,  morals,  ceremonies  and  religious  inftitutions. 

The  lapfe  of  time,  moreover,  to  us,  who  live  in  thefe 
Liter  times,  has  given  an  additional  force  to  the  evidences 
in  favour  of  revelation.  The  ingenious  author  of  the 
Spectator,  in  his  day,  confidered  the  particular  cafe  of 
the  Tews,  their  calamities,  difperfion,  vagabond,  unfet- 


YOUNG      LADY.  59 

tied  ftate,  &C.  as  a  {landing  and  incontcftable  miracle  in 
fupport  of  the  facred  writings.  Th^y  /////continue 
(what  is  there  fo  circumftantially  foretold)  unable  to 
incorporate  with  any  people,  and  loaded  with  the  ha- 
tred and  abhorrence  of  all.  The  teftimony,  therefore, . 
from  their  hiftory,  is  proportionably  more  illuftrated 
and  confirmed. 

The  deitruction  of  the  Romifh  church,  Jikewife,  is 
palpably  predicted  in  the  fcriptures.  And,  if  we  may 
judge  from  ftrong  appearances,  is  daily  approaching. 
The  great  and  general  diffunon  of  knowledge ;  the 
confequent  progrefs  cf  religious  toleration,  and  that 
difperfion  of  the  mifts  of  prejudice  from  all  eyes,  pro- 
duced by  the  genial  rays  of  a  meridian  fun,  muft,  in 
time,  effect  the  downfall  of  all  tyranny  and  fuperfti- 
tion  :  whilft  the  emperor,  employed  in  deftroying  mo- 
naileries,  and  encouraging  population,  appears  an  in- 
ftrument,  in  the  hand  of  Providence,  for  accelerating 
tlie  approach  of  this  auspicious  moment.  The  late 
difmemberment,  moreover,  of  territory  from  the  Holy 
See;  the  contentions,  in  which  the  fovereign  pontiff 
lias  been  involved  by  thofe  monarchs,  who  once  trem- 
bled at  his  frown  ;  and  the  mere  external  deference  on- 
ly, which  is  paid  to  his  authority,  prove  that  his  throne 
is  tottering  from  its  bale,  and,  like  all  other  human 
things,  approaching  to  its  difTolution.  Thus  is  our 
holy  religion  founded  on  a  rock,  againft  Which  the 
winds  and  waves  of  infidelity  beat,  in  vain.  Proud 
men  may  reafon,  and  wicked  men  pretend  to  doubt, 
but  "  the  very  gates  of  hell   fhall  not  prevail  againft 


■to  L  ETTERS     to    a 

L    E    T    T    E    K       XXV. 

MY    DEAR   LUCY, 


W. 


ONDER  not  at  the  diverfity  of  opinions  in 
religion.  It  has  been  from  the  beginnings  and  will  con- 
tinue to  be  the  C2fe  to  the  endo{  tlve  world.  Men  will 
never  have  the  fame  religious  fentiments,  till  you  can 
give  them  the  very  fame  natural  d'rfpo  fit  ions  of  humi- 
Jity,  candor,  teachablenefs  ;  the  fame  capacity,  edu- 
cation, acquaintance,  or  even  the  fame  fei  of  features, 
•or  the  fame  complexion. 

The  hiftory  of  .the  church,  from  the  firft  moment, 
to  the  prefent,  is  an  hiftory  of  thefe  difl'entions.  So 
foon  as  Chrift  and  his  apoftles  difappeared,  men  mixed 
"  tares  of  human  opinion  with  this  .good  feed  of  the 
"  word."  Even  two  of  thefe  apoftles  had  a  (harp  con- 
tention, and  the  fpirit  has  never  vanifhed  from  their 
.fuccelTors. 

There  has  been  the  fame  fafhion  in  religious  opini- 
ons., as  in  common  things.  Particular  notions  have 
been  abetted,  hid  afide,  re  fumed  and  difmifTed  again, 
under  different  names  and  leaders,  exactly  like  the  va- 
rying modes  of  drefs,  furniture,  or  entertainments. 

Nor  is  this  the  leali  impeachment  of  our  hory  reli- 
gion. The  truth  of  that,  like,  the  God,  whence  ii 
comes,  is  the  ".fume  yefterday,  to-day  and  for  ever." 
It  is  refervedj  as  the  privilege,  of  a  more  glorious  era. 


TOUNG     LA  D  Y.  6-r 

?  that  all  men  fhall  be  of  one  £t  heart,  and  of  one  foul, 
"and  keep  the  unity  of  the  fpirit  in  the  bond  ©f 
€t  peace." 

In  all  human  fyftems  of  faith,  there  mutt  be  error. 
Where  error  is  involuntary^  and  fprings  from  no  criminal 
paffions,  but  only  from  a  weaknefs  or  mjdintfion  of 
judgment,  the  Almighty,  who  looketh  chiefly  at  the 
heart,  doubtlefs,  will  forgive.  Charity,  in  the  mean 
time,  is  the  great  bond  of  union  among  all  parties. — - 
u  They  mail  come  from  the  eaft,  and  from  the  weft, 
<J  and  fit  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God."  If  we  hope 
to  be  companions  in  glory,  we  "  mould  not  furely  fall 
"  out  by  the  way." 

The  chriftian  blood,  which  has  framed  fo  many  a- 
ges  of  the  church,  has  flowed  from  the  mofr  malignant 
and  felfifh  paffions.  The  gofpel  breathes  nothing  but 
univerfal  love,  and  candor  and  forbearance.  u  Ye 
"  know  not  what  manner  of  fpirit  ye  are  of,"   is  the 

>  mild  rebuke  to  every  perfecutor,  that  would  flay  with 

f-the  fword. 


LETTER      XXVI. 

X  HOUGH  it  is  really  invidious^  yet,  for  the  fake  of 
-djre&ino;  your  judgment,  and  gratifying  a  very  natural 
ana1  laudable  curiofty,  I  will  give  you  a  brief,  compre- 

F 


62  LETTERS    to    a 

henfive  sketch  of  the  opinions  of  the  more  celebrated 
religious  feds,  that  have  prevailed  in  this  kingdom. — 
You  will  thus  be  able  to  form  fome  comparative  idea 
of  their  merits  or  defects ;  you  will  not  be  fo  likely  to 
be  "  totted  about  with  every  blaft  or"  vain  doctrine," 
and  you  will  never  feel  yourfelf  at  a  lofs,  in  company, 
when  they  become  the  fubject  of  converfation. 

Pagans  are  thofe  who  are  wholly  unenlightened  with 
revelation,  and  worihip  idols,  inftead  of  the  true  God. 
Thefe  idols  have  been  various,  as  the  caprices  or  im- 
aginations of  the  people,  among  whom  they  are  found  ; 
fometimes  fictitious  beings,  fuch  as  Jupiter,  Apollo, 
Mercury,  Mars,  Juno,  Venus,  Minerva,  &c.  fome- 
times good  qualities  perfonified  ;  Faith,  Hope,  Victo- 
ry, Concord  :  fometimes  animals,  as  Serpents,  Croco- 
diles, &c.  or  even  vegetables  ;  as  Leek,  Onion,  Gar- 
lic. Thefe  lad:  were  objects  of  adoration  among  the 
Egyptians. 

Before  the  appearance  of  Chrift,  almoft  the  whole 
world  was  covered  with  Paganifm.  All  the  learning 
and  politcnefs  of  Athens  and  of  Rome,  could  not  dif- 
pel  this  ignorance.  It  has  only  vanifhed  "  where  the 
"  Sun  of  righteoufnefs  hath  appeared  with  healing  in 
"  his  wings." 

An  ingenious  writer  has  faid,  that,  if  we  divide  the 
known  countries  of  the  globe  into  thirty  equal  parts, 
five  will  be  Christians  ;  fix  Mahometans,  and  nineteen 
Pagans.  Plow  dreadful  the  reflection,. that  the  greater! 
of  all  poifible  bleflings  mould  have  penetrated  but  fo 
fmall  a  way  !   When  we  confider  the  privileges  of  the 


YOUNG     LADY.  63 

gofpel,  how  gladly  would  one  carry  it,  if  it  were  pofri- 
ble,  into  every  country  of  the  known  world  !  How  ar- 
dently mould  we  pray  toour  Father  in  heaven,  that  his 
kingdom  of  grace  may  daily  come  on  earth,  and  how 
thankful  lliould  we  be  to  that  gracious  Providence, 
that  has  fixed  our  lot  in  a  chriftian  land,  and  under  the 
enlivening  beams  of  revelation  ! 


LETTER       XXVII. 


MY  DEAR  GIRL, 

JVlAHOMETANS  are  fo  called,  from  being  fol- 
lowers of  the  great  impoftor,  Mahomet.  This  extra- 
ordinary man  was  born  at  Mecca,  in  Arabia,  about  the 
middle  of  the  fixth  century  ;  and,  in  his  fortieth  year, 
after  fome  time  previously  fpent  in  the  filence,  retire- 
ment and  auiicrity  of  a  cave,  prefumed  to  ftyle  himfelf 
the  Apoftle  of  God\  pretended  to  have  received  from 
heaven,  a  new  and  a  laft  revelation,  which  was  to  il- 
luftrate  and  enforce  what  had  been  miftaken  or  perver- 
ted, in  the  chrijlian,  by  the  lapfe  of  time,  or  the  fophif- 
try  of  men.  He  affected,  like  wife,  a  commiflion  from 
above,  if  gentler  methods  mould  prove  ineffectual,  to 
propagate  his  particular  religion  bv  the  fword. 
F  2 


c>  LETTERS    to    a 

His  tenets  arc  contained  in  the  Koran,  which,  for 
its  Angularity,  is  worth  your  readir.r.     T  them 

fiaufibitity^  they  are  tftterfperfed  with  fome  doc- 

trines, but,  at  the  fame  time,  carry  a  mod  artful  iddrtjt 
to  the  paflions  ;  allowing  polygamy,  and  defcribinj 
luture  paradife,  as  confiding principally,  of  fenfual  plea- 
iures  ;  fplendid,  filken  garments  j  rivers  of  -.rater,  wine, 
milk,  honey ;  mufic,  leading,  and  moll  beautiful  wo- 
men. 

Mahomet  was  a  man  of  great  talents  and  ambition. 
He  had  no  view,  but  to  render  himi'elf  the  iole  and 
'ormidable  monarch  of  an  extensive  empire.  Religion 
was  made  the  infirument  for  executing:  his  wicked  and 
tyrannical  defigns.  Hence  all  his  auderitks,  difguifes, 
deceptions.  Hence  lie  pretended  fuch  a  familiar  inter- 
i'ourfe  with  lieaven,  and,  by  his  fm^ularaddrefs,  found- 
i  d  a  religion,  which  has  continued  fince  his  time,  with 
■  ittie  variation^  to  overfpread  a  confiderable  part  of  the 
world.  It  is  profefled  by  the  Turks  and  Perfians,  by 
cveral  nations  among  the  Africans,  and  by  many  a- 
tt.ong  the  Lad  Indians. 

Tlie  outline  of  it  was  Sketched  by  the  hands  of  a  great 
mafter.  It  was  fui ted  to  the  climate  ;  it  took  advan-- 
tige  of  the  diforders  and  dilTenfions,  then  prevailing 
smong  christians,  and  it  promifed  a  fpecies  of  gratifi- 
cations, to  which  our  nature  will  always  feel  the  drong- 
tft  propensity. 

The  bulk  of  people,  in  any  country,  do  not,  indeed 
cannot^  think  cr  judge  for  themfelves  ;  it  will,  therefore^ 


YOUNG    LADY,  65 

always  be  in  the  power  of  thofe,  who  have  any  popular 
talents,  to  make  the  multitude  their  profelytes  and 
jfoves ;  and  thus,  if  we  turn  over  the  hiitory  of  the 
world,  lhall  we  find  the  ambition,  luft  and  avarice  of  a 
fWy  trampling  on  the  deareft  interells  of  the  many. 


LETTER      XXVIII. 

MY  DEAR  LUCY, 


U. 


NDER  the  name  of  chrirtians,  however  differing 
from  each  other  in  private  opinions,  or  divided  and  fub- 
divided  among  themfelves,  are  included  all  thofe  who 
embrace  the  facred  revelation  and  doclrines  of  J<fus 
Chrifl.  Among  thefe,  the  Roman  Catholics,  both  in 
point  of  numbers,  and  the  figure  they  have  made  in 
the  hiitory  of  Europe,  may  feem  to  claim  fome  degree 
of  precedence.* 

This  religion,  which  has  fubfifted  for  fuch  a  length 
of  time,  and  covered  fo  considerable  a  part   of   the 

*  The  Roman  Catholic  religion  is,  at  this  day,  the  eftab- 
liihed  religion  of  the  following  countries,  viz.  Portugal,  Spain, 
Fiance,  Italy,  Bohemia,  Hungary,  Poland,  a«ct  iikewife  pa* t 
of  Germany  and  Swifferland. 

F3 


LETTERS    to   a 

world,  is  little  clfe  hut  a  fyftem  of  political  tyranny  efiab- 
lilhcd  by  the  clergy,  over  the  confciences  and  fortunes  of 
men,  merely  to  enrich  and  aggrandize  tbemfilves.  They, 
who  mould  have  afpired  to  no  other  greatnefs,  but  to 
become  the  fervants  of  all  for  their  eternal  good,  have 
undertaken  "  to  lord  it  over  God's  heritage,  and  rule 
it  with  a  rod  of  iron." 

Can  any  thing  in  the  world  be  more  ineonfiftcnt  ?' 
The  Pope,  in  all  the  plenitude  of  temporal  power,  pre- 
fumptuoufly  itiles  himfelf  the  vicar-general  of  Jefus 
Chrift !  That  Jems,  who  appeared  in  a  manger^  empti- 
ed himfelf  of  all  his  glory,  and  difclaimed  all  temporal 
greatnefs  and  diftincYion  ! 

The  public  worfhip  of  the  papifts  is  overloaden 
with  ceremony.  It  is  performed  in  a  learned  language, 
unknown  to  the  vulgar,  and  intermixed  with  fuch  a 
continual  change  of  drefs,  attitude  and  ceremonies,  as 
are  only  calculated  to  excite  the  ridicule  of  a  rational 
and  enlightened  mind.  The  great,  Supreme  incom- 
prehensible Spirit,  is  only  to  be  ferved  with  the  heart 
and  affections,  and  the  mod  unlearned  perfon  in  a  con- 
gregation, fhould  furely  understand  every  prayer  that 
is  uttered. 

The  Roman  Catholics  acknowledge  the  Pope  for 
their  head.  They  think  the  church  infallible  in  its 
councils  and  decifions,  and  brand  all,  who  differ  from 
them,  with  the  odious  name  of  heretics^  as  people  who 
are  not  within  the  pale  of  falvation.  They  keep  the 
minds  of  poor  people  in  ignorance  ;  they  do  not  per- 
mit them  to  re::d  the  fcriptures,  but  refer  them  for  in* 
firuction,  folely  to  their  pricj/s;  they  maintain  the  ne- 


Y  O  LJ  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  67 

cefTzty  of  confefling  their  fins  and  frailties  to  their  paf- 
tor,  and  the  validity  of  human  abfolution  ;  they  believe 
the  abfurd  and  incomprehenlible  doctrine  of  trtmfol- 
Jlantiation,  or  that  the  cltments  of  bread  and  wine,  in 
the  facrament,  are  changed  into  the  real  body  and 
blood  of  Chrift ;  they  have  been  accufed  of  worship- 
ping images  ;  faints,  they  certainly  invoke,. to  be  medi- 
ators for  them  •>  they  have  fwelled  the  number  of  fa- 
craments  to  fiven  3  thefe  arc  baptifm,-  confirmation, 
the  eucharift,  penance,  extreme  uncHon,  holy  orders, 
and  marriage  ;.  they  admit  the  doctrine  of  a  purgatory 
after  death,  in  which  fouls  are  refined  from  their  for- 
mer pollutions  ;  they  forbid  their  priefts  to  marryy 
preach  up  the  neceffity,  or  foperior  janctity  of  a  fingle 
Jife,  and  induce  as  many  people  of  fortune,  as  poffible, 
to  bury  themfelves  in  convents  and  monafteries,  and 
pour  their  fortunes  into  the  bofom  of  the  church  ;  in 
fome  of  the  more  corrupt  ages,  indigencies  for  the 
grcatefl  crimes  might  be  purchafed  with  moneys  and 
every  degree  of  guilt  has  had  its  dated  fum  of  acquit- 
tance;  perfecution  for  confeience  fake,  has  been  deem- 
ed meritorious,  and  their  annals  are  ftaincd  with  the 
blood  of  thoufands. 

*  The  telling  of  thefe  indulgent ies  by  John  Tezel,  a  Do- 
minican friar,  roufed  the  fpirit  of  Dr.  Martin  Luther,  profef- 
for  of  Divinity  in  the  TJniverfity  of  Wittenberg,  in  the  Elec- 
torate of  Saxony.  He  can  fed  95  thefes,  oppofing  this  abufe 
and  other  errors,  to  be  printed  and  Hailed  to  the  door  of  the 
Electoral  Church,  October  31,  151 7  ',  and  this  was  the  begin- 
ning of  the  Reformation. 


68  LETTERS    to  a 

There  are,  doubtlefs,  multitudes  of  papifts,  who,  in 
an  enlightened  age,  Jhudder  at  many  of  thefe  dreadful 
opinions,  and  laugh  at  others  ;  the  gay  and  volatile 
people  of  F ranee,  in  general^  ridicule  them  all ;  and 
make  a  natural  tranfition  from  the  extreme  of  fuperfti- 
tion,  to  that  of  unbelief.  Whether  thefe  be,  or  be 
not,  the  principles  of  the  prefent  members ,  they  are,  in- 
difputably,  the  eftablifhed  doctrines  of  the  church, 
however  varnifhed  over  by  art,  or  evaded  by  afFeitati- 
on  3  and  though  this  people,  at  prefent,  are  loyal,  inof- 
fenfive  (iubjecls,  and  feemingly  attached  to  the  fove- 
reign  on  the  throne,  yet  there  is  reafon  to  fear,  that  a 
renewal  of  their  power  would  be  attended  with  a  re- 
petition of  their  violence,  and  blow  up  the  feemingly 
extinguifhed  embers  of  hatred  and  perfecution.  Such 
a  many-headed  monfter  mould  be  carefully  guarded. 
Deluges  of  human  blood  are  not  to  be  forgotten. 

For  their  fake,  and  for  the  honour  of  chriitianity,  I 
do  mofl  ardently  wifn  their  converfion.  I  long  to  em- 
brace, as  brethren,  athoufand  excellent  men,  who  now 
live,  as  I  cherifh  the  memories  of  many,  who  have  di- 
ed within  their  communion.  Nor  do  I  think  the  pe- 
riod is  very  dljlant.  Bigotry  cannot  much  longer  be  a 
weed  in  the  prefent  highly  cultivated  Hate  of  Great- 
Britain.  I  have  before  mentioned  the  emperor,  as  a 
probable  inftrument  of  this  good  work.  His  ambition, 
I  truft,  will  thus  be  confecrated  to  the  glory  of  Gcd, 
and  the  welfare  of  mankind.  The  happier!  events, 
we  celebrate,  have,  fometimes,  fprung  from  the  im- 
pureft  paflions.     Our    own    reformation    from   this 


YOUNG      LADY.  69 

church  was  firtgularly  effected.*  The  Almighty  ca* 
bend  the  councils  of  men,  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  an- 
iwer  his  fovereign  defigns.  "  He  doeth  what  he  will, 
"  in  the  armies  of  heaven,  and  among  all  the  inhabi- 
H  tants  of  the  earth," 


LETTER      XXIX, 

X  HE  Greek  church  is  much  lefs  known  among  us, 
as  to  its  doftrine  or  difcipline,  than  the  Roman.  In- 
deed there  are,  comparatively,  but  few  members  of  it 
in  England.  It  was  firft  eitabliihed  in  Greece,  from 
whence  it  derived  its  name,  and  extends  to  fome  other 
parts  of  Turkey. f  It  is  often  called  the  eafiern,  in 
contradi(tin3ion  to  the  Fvomilh, .  which  is  •  the  we/hm 
church. 

Though  the  profeffors  of  this  religion  difavow  the 
fupremacy  of  the  Pope,  and  many  other  opinions  of» 
the  Holy  See,  vet  they  are  considerably  tinctured  with 
fuperftition.     Their  worfhip  is  overloaden  with  cere— 

•  In  the  reign^of  Henry  VIR. 

f  Tt  irlikewifc  the  •ftaWiffctd  Church  throughout  the  r*ft* 

empire- o|  Rufiia,  iu  Europe. 


7?>  LETTERS   to  a 

mony,  mew,  fplendid  drefles,  faftings,  aufterities,  &c. 
as  well  as  the  former.  They  are  governed  by  bimops 
and  patriarchs.  Their  head  is  the  patriarch  of  Con- 
ftantinople. 


LETTER       XXX. 

MY  DEAR  LUCY, 


D. 


SS ENTER  is  a  vague  word,  which,  in  its  full 
latitude,  may  be  applied  to  all,  who  differ  from  the  ef- 
tabljfhed  religion.  Originally,  however,  it  meant  only 
one  kind  of  people,  then  diftinguifhed  by  the  name  of 
Prefbyterians,  who  rather  dilTented  from  the  difcipline 
and  politv,  than  the  opinions  of  the  church.  Thefe,  in 
general,  emWraced  the  fentiments  of  Calvin,  relating  to 
foreknowledge,  divine  decrees,  irrefimble  grace,  predef- 
tination,  reprobation,  &c.  They  difclaimed  epifcopa- 
cy,  and  their  government  was  vefted  in  preibyters  and 
fynods.  The  word  prcjbyter,  means  an  elder,  and  Jy- 
nod,  an  ecelefiaftical  council  oranembly. 

The  prefent  race  of  diflenters,  may  be  ftriclly  fubdi- 
Vided  into  two  clafTes ;  thofe  who  (till  retain  the  doc- 
trines of  Calvin,  and  his  mode  of  difcipline,  and  call 
themfetves,  from  their  form  of  government,  Indepen- 
dents j    and  fuch  as  aflume  the  more  fpecious  title  of 


Y  O  U  N  G    LADY.  7I 

proteftant  diffenters.  The  firft  are  extremely  rigid  and 
.puritanical  in  their  outward  deportment;  but  they  do 
not  breathe  all  the  fweetncfi  of  piety,  nor  are  their  an- 
nals unftained  with  inftances  of  intolerance  and  perfe- 
ction. Their  leader  was  a  furious  and  unrelenting 
bigot.  His  murder  of  the  poor  honeft  Servetus,  will 
be  an  eternal  ftigma  on  his  memory,  and  throw  a  dark 
fliade  over  his  pretended  virtues. 

Indeed  how  can  people,  with  fucb  fentiments,  act  o- 
therwife  ?  If  their  God  be  only  merciful  to  a  few  elect, 
how  fhould  they  think  of  a  genera!  benevolence  r  If  be 
can  be  cruel  to  fo  many  millions  of  creatures,  where  is 
the  harm  of  imitating  bis  example,  or  exterminating 
tboufands  ? 

1  do  not  know  that  the  latter  kind  of  diflenters,  have 
■any  fettled  code  of  faith.  "  Every  minifter  Ins  a  pfalm 
u  of  Iiis  own,  has  a  doctrine,  has  an  interpretation, " 
fo  that  very  oppofite  fentiments  may  be  confidently  de- 
livered by  different  perfons  in  the  fame  pulpit.  They 
value  themfeives  highly,  with  whatever  jufrice,  on  their 
learning,  candor  and  liberality.  Far  from  being  actu- 
ated with  any  blind  or  enthufuftic  zeal,  they  feem  to 
worfb'p  reafoti,  as  their  guide,  and  facrilegioully  exalt 
it  almoft  on  the  ruins  of  revelation.  Their  danger  is, 
of  fa  Ling  into  fcepticifm,  the  molt  alarming  and  incu- 
rahk  of  all  fpiritual  diforders.  They  are  faid,  in  gene- 
ral, to  difbelieve  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  of  the  a- 
tonement,  and  divinity  of  Chrirr,  and  unite  with  the 
Calvinifts,  in  otie  fentirnent,  at  ledtt — that  of  abhorring 
epifcopacy,  and  of  conftderirig  the  cftabiilhed  church, 
as  a  fyfteoi,  raifed  byfriefcrqft,  andfupported  byjhper- 
Jiitisn. 


72  LETTERS    to    a 

LETTER      XXXI. 

J[  HE  method  ills  arc  comparatively  a  new  fe&,  arid 
fprung  up,  about  fix ty  years  ago,  under  the  aufpices  of 
John  Wefley,  and  George  tV  bite  field,  then  ftudents 
at  Oxford.  They  received  their  name,  from  affecting 
to  live  by  a  ftridter  regimen  and  method,  than  other* 
people. 

They  have  been  long  divided  into  two  claries,  ac- 
cording to  the  different  principles  efpoufed  by  their 
leaders.  The  firft  follow  the  opinions  of  Arminius, 
under  the  guidance  of  Wefley,  who  is  frill  a  very  ve- 
nerable looking  patriarch,  at  their  head  ;*  and  the  other, 
believing  divine  decrees,  foreknowledge,  reprobation 
and  election,  are  more  ftri&ly  members  of  the  kirk, 
(only  that  they  do  not  admit  its  difcipline)  having 
long  fince  loft  their  original  director. f 

I  do  not  know,  that  the  methodifts,  (particularly 
they  who  follow  Wefley)  are  differaters  from  the  eftab- 
lifhment,  further  than  in  having  feparate  meetings  to 
enkindle  and  infpirit  the  zeal  of  their  followers  ;  a  cir- 
cumflance  which  they  conceive  to  be  much  neglected 
by  the  regular  clergy.  They  are  baptized  with  us.; 
attend  our  fervices  and  facrament;  admire  our  liturgy  ; 
and  only  blame  us  for  our  lukewarmnefs,  and  want  of 

"*    Since  dead. — He  deceafed  179** 

f  George  Whitefield.  Both  before  and  fince  his  death,  the 
Coufttfcft  of  Huntingdon  has  been  a  perfon  of  great  influence 
arno:^  this  latter  ciafb  of  Methodifts.    She  died  1791, 


YOUNG    LADY.  73 

energy  and  animation.  This  ccnfure,  it  is  true,  comes 
but  with  a  very  ill  grace  from  fuch  a  people;  but,  I 
fear,  we  cannot  eafily  refute  it. 

They  had  originally  a  great  marc  of  enthufuifm.  But 
it  is  greatly  foftened  by  the  indulgence  they  have  recei- 
ved, and  mellowed  down  by  time.  They  are  no  lon- 
ger a  new  ;  they  are  no  longer  a  perfecuiid  te£\. 

The  journals  of  Wefley,  written  in  the  infancy  of 
his  career,  are  a  orange  medley  of  goodnefs  and  enthu- 
fiaim.  The  old  man  has  lived  long  enough  to  have 
feen  his  error.  That  glow  of  imagination  is  confider- 
ably  abated,  which  miftook  (hadows  for  fubfhmce,  and 
made  fiction  pafs  for  truth. 

The  great  error  among  this  people,  is,  their  employ- 
ing fuch  low,  illiterate  men  as  their  inflruclors,  and 
fancying  them  under  the  immediate  guidance  of  divine 
infpiration — preaching  up  the  acceflity  of  inflaktanetntt 
converiion  and  justification  by  a  fort  of  miracle — mak- 
ing faith  to  confift  in  a  full  affurcyue  of  falvation,  and 
denouncing  damnation  again  ft  thofe,  who  have  it  not 
in  this  fuper-eminent  degree — and  laftly,  in  fuppofing 
this  arTurancc  to  depend  on  certain  inward  extraordinary 
impulfes,  rather  than  the  fcriptures. 

Theie  fentiments  lead  many  artful  people  into  a 
wicked  pretence  of  feelings  and  ailurances,  which  they 
have  not ;  others  of  warm  imaginations,  to  the  belief  of 
what  is  only  chimerical,  and  plunge  ftili  more  of  honeft, 
timid  minds,  or  an  hypochondrical  temperament,  into 
melancholy  and  defpair. 

G 


74  LETTERS     to   a 

The  Saviour,  doubtlefs,  can  forgive  fins  to  whcmy 
End  at  whatever  moment  he  pleafes.  A  thief,  upon  the 
crofs,  was  a  miratle  of  his  mercy  ;  but  this  is  r.ot  the 
ordinary  method  of  his  providence  ;  there  are,  undoubt- 
edly, thoufands  of  excellent  people,  who  pafs  through 
the  world  without  fuch  a  full  ajjurance  of  faith  ;  and 
the  fpiritual  life,  like  that  of  animals  or  vegetables,  i«j 
generally  progretfive.  We  grow  imperceptibly  "  from 
ftrength  to  itrength,"  and,  though  the  peace  of  God 
may  be  dirTufed  through  our  confeiences,  we  dare  not 
fay,  "  that  we  have  already  attained." 

The  methodilts  were,  ence,  extremely  lavifh  in  their 
cenfures  of  others;  but  juitice  obliges  me  to  confefs, 
that  they  are  now,  in  general,  an  harmlefs,  inoffenfive 
and  pious  people.  If  they  be  gloomy,  it  is  their  own 
misfortune ;  if  they  go  mourning  all  their  days,  theirs 
is  the  forrow  ;  the  world,  in  general,  is  too  diiiipated 
and  unreflecting. 

As  to  their  leader,  he  is  doubtlefs  a  prodigy.  What- 
ever be  the  merit  or  demerit  of  his  opinions,  his  inde- 
fatigable labours,  activity,  pilgrimages,  zeal  and  refolu- 
tion,  challenge  our  amazement.  An  old  man,  of  near- 
ly ninety,  riling  conftantly  at  four  o'clock  in  the  depth 
of  winter,  preaching/r^^7///)',  on  the  fame  day,  jour- 
neying from  place  to  place,  "  and  from  one  people,  to 
another  kingdom  •/'  hhnfelf  the  bifhop,  fecretary, 
judge,  governor  of  his  people,  the  main  fpring  of  fuch 
a  vaft  and  complicated  machine,  is  a  phenomenon,  that 
will  vanifli  from  our  earthly  horizon,  when  he  ceafes 
to  exifr,     His  opinions,  it  is  faid,  do  not  injure  his 


YOUNG     LADY.  7S 

cheerfulnrfs.     Time  has  planted  few  wrinkles  on  his 
forehead,  though  it  lias  covered  Ins  head  with  fnow. 

Notwithstanding  the  religious  zeal,  which  works 
Wonders  in  his  favour,  and  the  deference,  naturally  paid 
to  the  firft  founder  of  a  feci,  particularly  when  pofTefTed 
of  any  genius  or  learning,  yet  his  peaceful  government 
of  fo  numerous  a  peopie,  for  fuch  a  length  of  time,  is 
a  proof  of  extraordinary  talents  and  addrefs.  When- 
ever he  dies,  hisdifciples  will  dwindle.  They  will  not 
eafily  agree  about  a  fucceflbr.  No  fucceflbr  can  have 
fo  undifputed  a  fovereignty,  or  poiTefs  fo  unmolefted  a 
throne.  They  will  feparate  from  the  church,  and  the 
feparation  will  be  fatal.  It  will  be  the  lofs  of  union, 
confequence  and  power.  The  republic  will  probably 
be  divided  in  its  councils,  and  have  lefs  difpatch  and 
energy  in  the  execution. 


LETTER      XXXII. 

X  HE  Baptifts  or  Anabaptifts,  are  a  fpecies  of  the 
independent  diflenters,  who  differ  from  their  brethren, 
chiefly  in  the  rnodeoi  adminiftering  baptifm^  which  the.y 
conceive,  (hould  always  be  by  immerfion.*     There  were 

G2 

*  They  like  wife  rejrtf  the  baptifm  of  infants. 


76  LETTERS   to  a 

many  of  this  perfuafion,  among  the  reformed  abroad. 
In  Holland,  Germany,  and  the  North,  they  were  called 
Anabaptifts   or  M  cs  ;    in   Piedmont  and  the 

fouth,  they  were  found  among  the  Albigenfes.  In 
England,  they  are  few,  and,  at  prefent,  little  mention- 
ed. 

The  Quakers  arofe  about  the  middle  of  the  feven- 
teenth  century,*  and  had  their  name  affixed  upon  them 
in  derifwn,  from  the  violent  emotions,  with  which  they 
affected  to  be  agitated,  when  they  conceived  themfelves 
under  the  more  immediate  impulfeof  thefpirit.  They  ex- 
plain the  whole  letter  of  fcripture  into  a  kind  of  imvard, 
and  fpiritual  allufim.  They  never  fpeak,  preach  or  exhort 
in  public,  but  when  they  fancy  themfelves  to  be 
moved  by  the  fpirit  ;  they  fet  afide  the  necefhty 
of  the  external  facraments,  baptifm  and  the  Lord's  fup- 
per,  and  would  certainly  be  right,  if  men  had  no  mat- 
ter in  their  compofition,  and  if  the  imagination  was 
not  to  be  awakened  through  the  medium  of  the  fenfes. 

They  acknowledge  no  head,  but  Chrift,  no  matter, 
but  God  ;  refufe  to  pay  tithes,  and  think  the  common 
civilities  of  life  profane  and  unchriltian.  They  even 
appear  covered  in  the  prefence  of  their  fovereign,  and 
addrefs  him  with  the  familiar  appellation  of  thou. — - 
They  are  a  religious  community  within  themfelves, 
and  their  lovernment  is  wholly  internal.  You  may 
fee  their  principles  ably  delineated  by  their  ingenious 
apologift,  Barclay. 

*    George  Fox  fccrr.s  to  have  been  thdr  founder  about  the 

year  1649. 


YOUNG      LADY-  77 

There  are,  however,  many  excellent  traits  in  the 
character  of  the  Quakers.  They  are,  on  the  whole,  a 
peaceable,  inoffentivc  people  ;  fupport  their  own  poor ; 
have  manifefted,  for  a  longtime,  from  a  fpiiit  of  hu- 
manity, a  ftrong  and  pointed  oppofition  to  the  very  in- 
famous practice  of  the  flave  trade  ;  they  never  difturb 
the  peace  of  the  church,  or  (hackle  the  wheels  of  go- 
vernment, and  are  tolerated  in  all  their  innocent  peculi- 
arities by  a  liberal  and  an  enlightened  kingdom. 


LETTER      XXXIII. 

X  fJE  Moravians,  or  the  brethren^  are  a  fpecie.>  of 
proteftants,  who,  in  the  fifteenth  century,  threw  off  the 
defpotic  yoke  of  Rome,  animated  by  the  zealous  ex- 
hortations and  heroic  example  of  John  Hufs.*  Count 
Zinzendorff  was  a  very  eminent  leader  of  this  feci, 
and,  for  his  fignal  fervices  among  them,  has  been  dis- 
tinguished by  the  name  of  Papa,|  or  fpintua!  father  ; 

*  John  Hufs,  and  Jerom  of  Prague,  fuffered  martyrdom  at 
Prague,  in  the  year  14.14. 

f  This  was  rather  an  appellation,  which  very  natural!  wai 
ufed  in  the  familiar  circle  of  his  family.  In  the  wi  kings  pub- 
limed  by  the  United  Brethren,  they  generally  (lyie  him,  the 
Ordinary  of  the  Brethren. 

G3 


}8  LET'TERS    ro    i 

a  Monfieur  la  Trobe,  who  lived  in  the  metrv 
made  Continual  circuits  among  them,  ha>,   more 
•  iy,  acquired  great  celebrity  in  their  annate. 
They  have  more  than  on. 

ordeal  of  persecution.  Their  religious  principles^  how- 
ever, are  found  and  orthodox;    At  a  period,  when 

clamors  were  railed  againfr.  them,  Potter,  the  then 
learned  Archbifhop  of  Canterbury,  pronounced  them 
a  protectant,  epifcopal  community,  as  they  retained  no 
doilrines  that  were  repugnant  to  the  articles  of  the 
church  of  England  ;  and  the  pious  biihop  of  Sodor 
and  Man  (Wilfon)  was  created  an  honorary  prefident 
of  (what  is  called)  the  reformed  Tropus^  in  the  Unitus 
fratrum,  (the  unity  of  the  brethren.) 

Their  difcipline  and  mode  of  government,  are  very 
lingular.  They  form,  within  themfelves,  a  religious 
community,  independent  of  every  other,  and  extend- 
ing to  all  their  brethren  throughout  the  world.  They 
z:c  not  fufTered  to  intermarry  with  people  of  a  differ- 
ent periuafion  ;  they  have  groups  of  religious  houfes, 
/mattered  through  the  kingdom  ;  they  have  choirs  of 
iingle  fitters  and  brethren  ;  the  firfl:  are  occupied  in  e- 
very  kind  of  ingenious  needle- work,  in  which  they 
have  made  an  amazing  proficiency,  and  the  latter  in 
all  forts  ot  mechanical  employments  ;  and  their  earn- 
ings, after  a  maintenance  for  themfelves,  which  they 
receive  in  the  houfe,  go  into  one  common  fund  for  the 
iupport  of  the  general  fociety,"*  and  particularly  of  the 

*  There  u  no  fuch  gcner.i'  fund  among  the  United  Brethren* 
K3ch  member  of  their  community  gives,  without  conftraint-, 
what  he  pleafes,  for  fupporting  any  of  thd*  inftitutions,  or 
>n*  ^mon"  the  Heathen. 


YOUNG     LADY. 


79 


children  belonging  to  the  married  brethren  and  fifter?, 
which  are  fed,  educated  and  cloathcd  in  thefe  religious 
ieminaries. 

The  morals  and  chaftity  of  their  women^  are  guarded 
with  a  very  peculiar  vigilance;  they  are  not  permitted 
to  ftep  without  the  walls  of  their  afvlum,  unaccompa- 
nied by  a  fuperintendent  of  their  own  fex  j*  when  any 
of  them,  or  the  brethren,  is  married,  it  is  tranfacted  by 
the  calling  of  lots,  and  fuppoied  to  be  ordained  by  a 
particular  providence,  and  the  union  is  generally  form- 
ed with  fome  members  of  their  fociety  abroad. \  They 
much  refcmble  the  inethodifts  in  having  private  con- 
ferences, clarTes,  leaders,  and  examinations  concerning 
the  Mate  and  progrefs  of  grace  in  the  foul,  and  none  are 
permitted  to  receive  the  facrament,  without  having  pre- 
vioufly  paded  through  avery  fevere  procefs  of  religious 
examination. 

Their  worfhip  confifts  principally  in  finging,  and 
hence,  perhaps,  their  focieties  are  ealled  choirs.  Their 
refidences  have  much  the  air  of  religious  houfes;  and 
their  fmgle  brethren  and  fitters,  are  often  in  the  morti- 
fied ftate  of  involuntary  friars  or  nuns.  Their  devoti- 
ons, like  thofe  of  a  convent,  are  almoft  perpetual  \\  and 

*  The  author's  affertion  is  to  be  undcrRood  only  of  the 
growing  youth  of  the  fex,  who  are  not  of  age. 

\  Not  generally,  but  fometimes  it  has  been  the  cafe  as  with 
other  inhabitants  of  thefe  kingdoms. 

X  Their  dated  foetal  devotions,  are  limitted  to  morning 
and  evening-prayers,  and  a  weekly  exhortation  bv  the  Miui- 
ftcr. 


80  LETTERS   n  a 

they  fcem  to  have  forgotten,  that  they  were  born  for 
Jbcuty,  as  well  as  for  themfelves.* 

Such  reftraints  on  nature  are  not  tolerable,  and  na- 
ture will,  fometimes,  afTert  her  rights,  and  ftain  their 
hiftory  with  indifcretions.  We  were  fent  here  to  be 
tried.  Innocence,  that  fubfifts  only  by  the  abfence  of 
temptation,  fcarcely  deferves  the  name;  perpetual devo- 
tion  is  an  Impojjibility  j  it  is  as  impracticable,  as  that 
the  eye  mould  be  ever  looking  at  x\\zfame  object ;  and, 
if  I  do  not  much  miftake,  that  piety  is  mod  ardent, 
which  knows  moft  of  the  world,  from  dear-bought 
experience,  and  finding  it  a  fcene  of  mortification  and 
vanity,  appeals  to  beaveny  for  more  fubftantial  fatisfac- 
tion. 

There  are  many  fcattered  focieties  of  Moravians  in 
England,  but  they  appear  to  be  a  declining  feci.  It  is 
immured  ignorance  or  prejudice,  which  has  led  chriftians 
to  feparate  from  each  other  for  little,  frivolous  diftinc- 
tions.  The  era,  I  hope,  is  coming,  which  will  bring 
us  "  more  into  one  common  fold,  under  one  Shepherd, 
ChrilT:  Jefus,  the  righteous." 

*  They  carry  on  trades  and  manufactures,  like  other  ufeful 
citizens ;  and  though  they  never  urge  any  member  of  the  dif- 
ferent denominations  in  Chriftendom,  to  beep  ne  members  of 
their  church,  being  averfe  to  proftlyte-making;  yet,  from  a 
full  conviction  that  they  were  not  born  for  themfelves  only, 
they  have  made  uncommon  exertions  for  the  converfion  of 
the  Heathen  ;  for  example — of  the  Greenlanders,  Efkimos, 
North  American  Indians,  of  the  Negroes  in  the  Weft-Indian 
iflands,  of  the  Negroes,  Indians,  and  free  Negroes  in  Suri- 
nam, likewife  of  the  natives  of  the  Eaft-lndics,  and  of  the 
Calmucks  in  Afiatic  Ruifia,  See  Crane's  hiitory  of  the  Bre- 
thren, and  hiftory  of  Greenland. 


YOUNG     LAD  Y.  81 

There  is  certainly  a  great  mixture  of  good  in  this 
people.  What  a  pity,  that  they  csnnot  join  with  us  in 
offering  a  rational  fervice,  and  lifting  up  one  common 
hallelujah,  to  the  great  God  and  Father  of  all. 


LETTER       XXXIV. 


i 


KNOW  not  why  the  tnyitics  are  fo  called,  unlefs  It 
be  for  difcovering  myjiical  paffages  in  the  fcripture,  or 
making  religion  at  large,  wear  the  appearance  of  myfte- 
ry.  They  are  a  very  ancient  feel,  and  fprung  up  fo 
early,  as  about  the  clofe  of  the  third  century. 

This  people,  by  a  very  lingular'  kind  dF  ingenuity, 
difcover  a  fpiritual  or  hidden  fmk  in  the  moft  literal 
pafTages  of  fcripture,  and,  indeed,  convert  the  whole 
rather  into  an  amufing  allegory,  than  a  plain  and  Am- 
ple narrative  of  fa£ts. 

They  hold  all  divine  truth  to  come  by  an  Immediate 
influx,  from  the  fpiritual  world,  and  pretend  to  a  know- 
ledge of  God,  and  heavenly  things,  that  can  only  be 
attained  in  this  extraordinary  manner.  Sometimes  they 
are  called  quietifts,  becaufe  they  maintain,  that  the  foul 
fhould  be  in  a  (till,  fuiety  paflive  ftate,  undiftra&ed  with 
noife  and  cares,   and  almoft  fuperior  to  fenfe  or  matter, 


82  LETTERS   to  a 

in  order  to  receive  this  divine  illumination.  Their 
ftation,  in  the  thermometer  of  different  religious  or- 
ders, is  that  of  lighter  elements,  carried  by  fuperior 
nibtiliry  into  the  air,  whilft  others,  compofed  of  groffer 
matter,  adhere,  by  an  invincible  neceffity,  to  the  earth, 
till  death  diffolves  the  union  betwixt  foul  and  body. 

The  myftic  theology  feems  to  be  the  philofophy  of 
Plato,  refined  and  grafted  upon  a  chriftian  ftock  ;  the 
quixoi[fm  of  religion,  which  affects  to  attain  in  life,  what 
the  fcriptures  have  taught  us  to  expect  only  after  death  j 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  Almighty,  vifions,  reve- 
lations, almoft  intuition! 

If  the  myftics  would  reafon  for  a  moment,  (but  peo- 
ple, under  the  guidance  of  immediate  illumination,  are 
far  above  the  vwgar  fhackles  of  reafon)  they  would  fee 
that  fuch  a  fubtile,  metaphyfical  fyftem  is  poorly  fitted 
for  the  reception  of  mankind  at  large,  who  can  fcarce- 
ly  be  brought  to  understand,  relifh  or  pra&ife  the  mod 
obvious  truths  ;  they  would  acknowledge  that  divinity 
to  be  the  beft,  which  does  not,  with  the  lightnefs  of 
fome  matter,  afcend  into  the  air,  but  contents  itfelf  on 
earth,  with  inculcating  and  enforcing  the  mod  obvious 
duties  of  common  life ;  the  reciprocal  obligations  of 
parents  and  children,  matters  and  fervants,  kings  and 
fubjefb  ;  the  fubje&ion  of  the  paflions,  the  difcipline 
of  reafon,  and  the  duty  of  all  to  one  commsnGod.— 
They  would  know,  that  their  opinions  mud  create  an 
indifference,  or  a  fancied  fuperiority  to  thofe  eftablifhed 
ordinances,  which  are  the  very  bafis  of  all  religion,  and 
that  if  all  men  were  governed  by  their  paffive  quietude, 
t  here  would  be  none  to  encounter  with  the  vices  and 


YOtJNG     LADY,  83 

diforders  of  a  mixed,  heterogeneous  ftate.  Chriftians 
would  "ceafeto  be  the  light  of  the  world,  or  the  fait 
of  the  earth  ;"  there  would  be  none  to  ftem,  by  pow- 
erful, turbid  eloquence,  the  ragings  of  iniquity,  or  let 
"theluftre  of  their  example  mine  before  men." 

Our  Lord's  piety  was  not  of  this  kind.  It  fought 
not  the  indulgence  of  reclufe  contemplation.  It  was 
not  paffive,  but  active  ;  every  where,  with  the  finner 
and  the  faint,  to  reprove  the  one,  and  encourage  the  o- 
ther  j  in  the  wildernefs  to  pray,  and  in  the  world,  to 
reform  ;  at  a  marriage,  "  to  rejoice  with  them  that  did 
rejoice,  and,  at  the  grave  of  Lazarus,  to  weep  with 
his  affii&ed  friends. 


LETTER       XXXV. 

J[  HE  myftic  theology  boaits  fome  great  names.— 
Madame  de  Guion,  was  a  warm  efpoufer  of  it  in 
France  ;  a  woman  of  great  fafhion  and  confequence, 
remarkable  for  the  goodnefs  of  her  heart,  and  the  re- 
gularity of  her  conduct,  but  of  a  capricious  uafettled 
temper,  and  liable  to  the  feduitions  of  a  warm  imagi- 
nation. 

The  opinions  of  this  lady,   made  a  great  noife  in 
that  country,  about  tiie  year  16S7.     They  were  confu- 


84  LETTERS     to     a 

ted,  fome  time  afterwards,  by  the  celebrated  Bofluet. 
The  great  and  good  Fenelon  undertook  her  vindicati- 
on; but  his  book  was  condemned  by  Pope  Innocent 
the  twelfth. 

The  Teutonic  phtlofopher  (Jacob  Behmen)  was  a 
kind  of  father  to  this  feS,  and  publifhed  a  book,  which 
contains  a  fyftem  of  the  moil  abfurd  and  incoherent 
reveries,  that,  perhaps,  ever  gained  an  admiinon  into 
the  world.  It  is  a  fpecies  of  moral  chymittry,  and  oc- 
cult philofophy,  a  bewildering  explanation,  and  a  clou- 
dy light,  whivh,  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  neither  Sir 
Ifaac  Newton,  nor  Mr.  Locke,  with  all  their  clearnefs 
of  conception,  couid  have  been  able  to  underitand. 

Law,  who  wrote  the  Serious  Call  (a  nonjuror  of 
Northa.nptonfhirc:)  was  3n  abettor  of  thefe  doctrines  ; 
a  man  of  very  exemplary  life,  and  difcriminating  ta- 
lents ;  but  it  was  an  honor,  referved  for  the  late  Baron 
Swedenborg  to  carry  them  to  their  very  height  of  per- 
fection.* Compared  with  bis,  all  other  writings,  on 
the  fubjeft,  are  but  the  morning,  contrafted  with  the 
perfect  day.  He  tells  us,  cw/ftfe/rf/y,  of  his  unreftrained 
communications  with  the  fpiritual  world,  vilions,  reve- 
lations ;  he  gives  to  every  portion  of  fcripture,  a  na- 
tural, a  fpiritual,  and  a  celellial  fenfe  ;  he  defcribes  to 
us  the  very  form,  and  furniture,  and  apparatus  of  hea- 
ven; he  retails  to  the  reader  his  converfations  with 
angeh  ;  he  defcribes  the  condition  of  Jews,  Mahomc- 

*  Thole  who  embrace  the  tenets  of  Baron  Swedenborg, 
have  very  lately  begun  to  form  thtml'elves  into  a  feparate  con- 
nexion, under  the  name  of  the  New- Jerufalem  Church. 


V'O'U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  S5 

Chriftiaris,  of  the  E-nglifh,  French,  Dutch,  of 
clergymen  of  every  denomination,  laity,  &c.  iti  ano- 
ther world  ;  he  has  a  key  to  unlock  all  the  hitherto 
impenetrable  fecrets  of  futurity,  and  already,  whilft  in 
the  body,  "  knows  even  as  he  is  known." 

What  is  the  inference  ?  When  imagination  is  permit- 
ted to  ufurp  the  place  of  reafen,  fanaticifm  becomes  a 
chriftian   duty,   and  enthufiafm  the  more  credible^  in 

.  proportion  as  it  exceeds  all  bounds  of  credibility. 

What  can  induce  men  of  feufe  to  hearken  to  thefc 
dreams  ?  Early  prejudices,  confined  reading,  Gngular 
acquaintance,  a  reclufe  life,  a  gloomy,  fpsculative,  ab- 
ftraeted  turn  of  mind,  and  aflbciating  together,  for  a 
long  time,  particular,  however  incongruous  ideas'. 

This  will  account  for  any  reveries.     It  accounts  for 

•  infanity.    And  men,  from  this  caufe,  may,  in  a  particular 

'.  inftance  (fuppofe  religion)   be  infane,  though  in  ail  0- 

I  ther  refpecls,  their  minds  are  ever  fo  enlightened,  or  c- 

-  ver  fo  expanfive. 

It  muft,  however,  be  faid  in  favour  of  the  myftics^ 

-that  their  principles  inculcate  in  the  ltrongeil:  manner, 
the  neceffity  of  fpiritual  holincfs' and  regeneration  ;  that 

■  their  live?,  in  general,  are  unblemimed  v.nd  exemplary. 
They  are  a  quiet,  re-tired  people,  who  let  the  world  go 
as  it  wjij%  as  to  riches  or  promotions  t  who  enjoy,  in- 
ched, in  a  pzmvejuperiority)  thole  tumults  of  the  crowd, 
:as  higher  fpirjts  may  condejeend  to  look  down,  with  a 
pitying  (mile,  on  the  toiis  of  mortals  ;  .and  who  d^ny 

H 


U  LETTERS   to  a 

themfelves  all  the  gayer  plcafures,  in  order  to  relifh,  in 
a  fublimer  decree,  all  the  raptures  of  devotion. 

If  the  opinions  of  the  quietifts  fpring  from  fpiritual 
pride,  it  is  more  than  they  fufpe&  •,  for  they  preach  up 
the  deepeft  felf-dbafement,  annihilation,  and  poverty  of 
fpirit ;  they  almoft  ftarve  the  animal  ^rx.  of  their  na- 
ture, to  nurfe  the  angelic,  and  half  live  on  meditation. 

If  fuch  people  have  errors,  they  mould  be  touched 
with  a  gentle  hand.  If  they  are  mifted,  it  is  in  amia- 
ble company.  There  is  not  a  much  more  lovely  name 
than  that  of  Fenelon.  Few  men  hate  pofleffed  fuch 
a  fweetnefs  of  piety. 

I  have  but  one  wirti  for  them,  myfelf,  or  any  other 
feci,  and  it  is  a  with  of  charity,  that  what  is  wrong  in 
any  of  us,  may  be  done  away,  becaufe  I  long  to  meet 
them  all  in  the  kingdom  of  heavem 


LETTER      XXXVI. 

HEOLOGY,  like  arts  and  fciences,  has  its  fcho- 
hfoc,  technical  terms,  and  I  will  endeavour  to  explain 

them.  -  c 

The  Ariam  are  fo  called  from  Arius,  a  preibyter  of 
the  church  of  Alexandria,  in  the  year  315-  He  be* 
lieveu  Chriftto  be  God,  but  conceived  him  inferior  to 
the  Father,  as  to  his  deity  and  efience.     The  term,  at 


YOUNGLADY.  87 

prefent,  is  indifcriminately  applied  to  all,  who,  in  any 
degree,  embrace  this  opinion. 

This  herefy  was  firft  revived  by  Mr.  Whifton,  In 
the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  wopks 
of  Dr.  Clarke  afterwards  entailed  upon  him  the  name 
of  Semi-Arian  (Half-Arian  ) 

Socinians  derive  their  name  from  the  illuftrious  fa- 
mily of  Sozzini,  which  flourifhed,  a  long  time,  at  Si- 
enna, in  Tufcany,  and  produced  feveral  great  and  emU 
nent  men.  Fauftus  Socinus,  the  great  author  of  this 
fe&,  was  born  at  Sienna,  in  1539,  denied  the  divinity 
of  Chrift,  the  perfonality  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  the 
perpetuity  of  baptifm,  as  a  divine  ordinance. 

The  mod  diftinguifhed  men,  who  have  favoured 
this  opinion,  are  Le  Clerc,  Biddle,  Lardner,  Lowman, 
Fleming,  Lindfey,  &c. 


LETTER      XXXVII. 


T 


HE  Deifts  arc  fo  called,  perhaps,  from  the  Latin 

word,  Deus,  a  God  ;  becaufe  they  acknowledge  oftly 

the  exigence  of  a  God,  profefs  no  particular  form  or 

fyftom  of  religion,  and  only  follow  the  law  and  light 

H  2 

V 


$8  LETTERS    to    a 

©f  nature.      Of  thefe,  however,  there  are  many  de~ 
gnesy  from  the  moderate  ones,  who  believe  revelation- 
in  a  certain,  qualified  knfc,  to  thofe  who  abfolutely  dif- 
avow  it  in  all.     The  ftrft  who  figured  or  wrote  in  this* 
country,  was  Baron  Herbert,  of  Cherbury. 

Deifm  is  generally  embraced,  either  by  men  of  a  cold,, 
phlegmatic,  philofophical  caft,  who  arc  indifpofed  to  be- 
lieve any  thing,  for  which  they  have  not  abfolutc  de- 
monftruion  \  or  by  thofe,  who,  haying  never  thought 
or  reafon>jd,  confider  it  as  a  mark  of  wit  and  talents 
to  fet  up  for  unbelievers. 

The  firft  deferve  an  anfwer,  and  it  is  eafy.  All  na- 
ture is  full  of  myfteries,  as  well  as  revelation  ;  the  u- 
nion  of  foul  and  body,  is  a  miracle ;  the  inlinite  divifi- 
bility  of  matter,  and  the  idea  of  an  eternal  duration,. 
are  abfolutely  incomprehenfible  ;  nothing  can  be  more 
fo,  than  the  neoefTary  filf-exiftcncc  of  God.  The  latter 
are  better  anfwered  with  irony.  Their  infidelity  is  a 
fafhionable  livery.  \V  lien  deifm  is  not  in  vogue  a- 
mong  the  gay  circles,  they  will  foon  put  it  off,  and  dis- 
avow their  ever  having  worn  fo  obfolete  a  garb. 

A  third  clafs  of  deifts  may  be  faid  to  fpring  up  from 
the  fuperftitions  of  Rome.  Great  men,  who  live  in 
catholic  countries,  are  difgufted  with  their  bigotry,  and 
are  apt  to  think  religion  in  general  only  an  impofition  on- 
the  credulity  of  mankind.  Was  not  this  the  cafe 
with  all  that  fpiendid  group,  RoufTeau,  Voltaire,  the 
Abbe  de  Raynal,  and  Helvetius,  who  wrote  a  famous 
treatife  de  I  Efprit  ?  Genius  hates  (hackles,  and  fhack- 
les  are  the  peculiar  manufacture  of  Rome. 


Y  O  U  N  G    L  A  D  Y.  89 

A  fourth  clafs  of  deifts  are  continually  produced  by 
the  love  of  fame,  venting  itfelf  in  paradoxes,  and  fin- 
gular  opinions,  to  make  a  noife  ;  by  an  averfion  to  the 
ftrictnefs  of  gofpel  morality,  and  by  criminal  pafTions, 
which  endeavour  to  hide  their  guilt  in  the  fhades  of 
Unbelief.  Some  of  thefe  have  commenced  authors, 
and  endeavored  to  immortalize  rheir  errors  by  the  prefs. 
But  their  books,  on  a  near  view,  have  been  found  on- 
ly gilt  and  lettered  with  vanity^  and  have  quickly  been 
configned  to  the  oblivion  they  deferved*  Whilft  we 
are  in  this  world,  enemies  will  mix  thefe  tares  with  the 
good  feed  of  the  gofpeh  We  muft  wait  till  harvcj},  to 
fee  the  final  feparation. 

The  deifts  are  the  greatdft  enemies,  of  all  others,  to 
true  rehgion.  Their  pride  and  fcepticifm  ftop  up  eve- 
ry avenue,  by  which  divine  grace  and  conviction  mould 
be  conveyed  to  the  foul.  Nature,  with  themy  is  only  a 
necejjary  fylttm  ofcaufes  and  effects.  Creation  rofe 
into  its  prefent  fplendor,  by  a  kind  of  fatality.  1  hun- 
dcrs  roar,  lightnings  rlafh,  volcanos  vomit,  tetnpeftf 
rage,  feas  overflow,  millions  perim,  and  kingdoms  are 
defolated,  only  by  a  train  oijlated,  inevitable  caufes. 
They  exclude  a//// efficient  mover,  anci  think  not  of 
the  providence,  which,  at  a  certain  moment,  and  for 
the  wiJeft,  ?noraI.czufes,  predeftined  fuch  events. 

Few  of  thefe  men  haveV*Win  peace.     Their  forti- 
tude has  deferred  them,  when  they  wanted  its  fupport. 
Their  philoibphy  has  vanimed,  as  their  ftrength  lias  a* 
H3 


90  LETTERS    to  a 

bated.  The  bla ft  of  death  has  demolifhcd  their  fplen- 
did  fabric,  and  their  hopes  and  peace  have  pert/lied  m 
(he  ruins.* 


L     E     T     T     E     R       XXXVIII. 


ID  EAR    GIRL, 

X  RAVELLERS,  that  have  made  (what  is  called) 
the  grand  tour,  felicitate  themfelves  on  their  return  to 
England,  and  pronounce  it  the  happicft  country  in  the 
world.  And  fuch  it  certainly  is,  if  not  in  beauty  and 
t'elicioufnefs  of  climate,  yet  in  that  abfolute^<:wr//y  of 
property  it  enjoys  above  all  other  nations,  and  that  //- 
Icrty  which  endears  every  potfefiion. 

If  you  have  made  proper  obfei  vations  on  the  differ- 
ent religious  feels,  that  have  pafled  in  review  before  us, 
you  will  feel  much  the  fame  fentiment,  when  you  com*-- 

*  Athcifl  is  the  name,  and  Atheifm  the  dooli  ine  of  fnch  a- 
perfon  who  entirely  denies  the  exigence  of  God.  Whether 
any  man  ever  did,  in  hi?  heart,  believe  this  ahfurd  notion,  is 
doubtful.  But  whoever  pretends  to  it,  may  read  his  character 
is  Pfalm  XIV.  v.  u  *Thc  fool  hath  kid  in  his  heart,  There, 
is  no  God.' 


V  OUNG    L  AD  Y. 


9* 


pare  them  with  your  own  church.  You  will  be  the 
moral  traveller,  returned  from  more  unpleafant  fcenes, 
to  tafte  the  bleffings  of  true  repofe  and  dignity  at  home. 
Nor  is  this  idea,  I  hope,  theeffecT:  of  prejudice,  but 
fprings  from  folid  rcafon  and  conviction. 

The  church  of  England ■*»  has  enough  of  ceremony 
and  external  decency  to  ft?  ike  the  fenfes,  and  to  fupport 
the  dignity  of  religion*  in  the  eyes  of  the  vulgar,  and 
yet  nothing  that  can  juftly  offend  the  delicacy  of  the 
fublimeft  understanding.  It  aims  not  at  the  total-zb- 
fraction  of  diiTenters,  nor  affects  the  fuperftitious 
forms  and  ceremonies  of  the  church  of  Rome.  Its 
piety  has  a  rational,  fedate,  compofed  air;  and  is  uni- 
formly grave  and  decent,  without  pretending  to  the 
flights,  the  fervours,  and  the  vifions  of  fome  modern  fa- 
natics'. 

The  facraments  are  not  ridiculoufly  multiplied,  nor 
has  human  policy  invented  them.  They  are  but  two 
in  number,  baptifm  and  the  Lord's  fupper  ;  both  po- 
fitively  enjoined  by  Chrift,  and  neither  of  them  fuppo- 
fed  to  have  any  further  merit,  than  as  they  lead  to  pu- 
rity of  heart  and  conduct.  The  liturgy  has  been  ad- 
mired by  the  greateft  men  ;  the  minifters  of  this  church 
are,  in  general,  an  ornament  to  their  facred  profeflion, 

*  The  Church  of  England,  together  with  the  eftablifhed 
Church  of  Ireland,  forms  only  one  of  the  three  leading  divifi- 
on8  of  the  Proteflants.  Lutheranifm  is  the  eftabliflied  religi- 
on in  Sweden,  Denmark,  Norway,  Livonia,  and  a  confidera- 
ble  part  of  Germany  ;  and  Ca'lvinifrn  or  Frefbyterianifm  is 
the  eftaMii'hed  religion  in  Scotland,  Holland,  and  in  fcvtral 
parts  of  Germany  and  Swifter  land- 


92  LETTERS   to  a 

and  perhaps,  on  the  wholes  men  of  as  great  learning, 
candor,  piety  and  moderation,  as  are  to  be  found  under 
any  communion.  That  there  was  no  exceptions^  would 
be  a  miracle.  There  was  a  Judas  among  twelve  apof- 
tles. 

After  all  the fine-Jpun  theories  of  liberty,  .every  foci- 
ety  muft  have  a  mode  of  government ;  and  that  go- 
vernment fuppofes  power  to  be  lodged  fame  where  for 
the  general  good.  That  of  the  church  of  England 
is  veited  in  biihops ;  no  one  will  difpute  the  antiquity^ 
or  perhaps  u  fef ulnefs  of  the  order,  whatever  he  may 
object  to  its  temporal  difiin&ions.  St.  Paul  appointed 
bifhops  in  the  primitive  church. 

Much  abufeis  often  levelled  againft  the  facred  bench. 
But  the  fhafts  come  from  envyy  and  are-  pointed  by  re- 
ligious prejudice  and  refentment.  It  is,  in  fact,  their 
temporal  emoluments,  that  provoke  this  ungenerous 
kind  of  perfecution.  But  if  they  mult  attend  parlia- 
menty  they  have  indeed  no  fuper- abundant  proviiion.— . 
While  it  is  thought  expedient  to  have  a  national  church, 
the  interefts  of  it,  as  connected  with  the  ftate,  mult 
frequently  be.  a  fubject  of  parliamentary  difcuflion  ;  . 
and  it  would  be  very  extraordinary  indeed,  if  they, 
who  are  molt  immediately  concerned,  mould  not  have 
the  liberty  of  giving  their  opinion  and  votes  on  theoc- 
cafion.  Whatever  equal  right,,  from  education  or  abi- 
lities, the  bifhops  may  pofTefs,  along  with  the  temporal  -. 
peers  of  the  realm,  to  deliver  their  fentiments  on  any 
other  fubject,  they  exercifc  it  very  rarely,  and  with  great 
dijcretion.     Their  honors  too,  it  Ihould  be  obferved,u- 


YOU  N  G  -  L'A  D  Y. 

Aiaily  come  late  in  life,  and  the  hope  of -attaining 
them,  at  Tome  diflant  period,  is,  doubtlefs,  among  the 
younger  clergy,  a  ftron£  incentive  to  emulation. 

But  prejudice  apart,  the  bifhops,  in  general,  perform 
their  facred  duties  with  great  decorum,  and  the  prefcnt 
bench  can  boaft  the  names  of  feveral  who,  without  the- 
akl  of  purple,   would  be  an  ornament  to  human  na- 
ture. 

To  fuppofe  -the  church  of  England  without- defects, 
would  be  fuppoiTPg  it  not  an  human  eftablifhmcnt. — ■ 
But  innovation  in  religious  fyftems,  is  a  dangerous  ex- 
periment.     Projects  of  a  reformation  in  our  liturgy 
and  articles,  have  come  from  very  fufp-icious  quarters, 
ana*  worn  no  very  promrfing  appearance.      The  little 
errors  of  this  church,  are  better  trufled  to  the  enlight- 
ened prudence  and  moderation  of  its  governors,  than 
the  rafh  and  daring  fpirit  of  adventurers,   who,   under 
the  pretence  or'  only  attempting  to  remove  its  rubbiflv* 
might  artfully  undermine  the  very  foundation,  on  which  - 
it  refts.       They  who  have  talked  moft  loudly  on  the. 
fubjedl  of  an  alteration,  h^ve  certainly  difplayed  no 
very  great   attachment    to  the  -  tjjcntials  of   our   holy 
faith. 

We  might,  perhnp,  borrow  from  /claries,  without 
any  inconvenience,  -a  little  mc/e  zw/,  fervour  and  ani- 
mation. If  our  internal  difcipljne,  like  theirs,  was 
more  rigidly  enforced,  and  if,  like  them,  we  had  a  few 
more  conferences  with  our  people,  and  an  opportunity 
of  keeping  the  unworthy  from  the  altar,  we  fnould  be 
fo  much  nearer  till  model  of  perfection, 


94.  LETTERS    to    a 

But  alas  !  the  g teat  evil  among  us,  is,  a  want  of  en~ 
courage?nent.  The  church,  at  any  rate,  has  but  a  fmall 
pittance.  A  learned  prelate  *  has  obferved,  that,  if 
all  its  dignities  (bifhopricks  included,)  were  annulled, 
and  their  produce  thrown  into  one  common,  equalizing 
fund,  for  the  general  fupport,  the  amount  of  annual 
falary,  to  every  individual^  would  not  exceed  £.120,  or 
at  moft,  £.150. 

Under  fuch  circumftances,  who  can  be  very  anima- 
ted ?  Or  what  energy  can  attend  the  exercife  of  our 
profeffion  in  the  eyes  of  a  world,  that  fupercilioufly 
appreciates  the  characters  of  men  infinitely  more  by 
their  temporal  pofleflions,  than  by  the  graces  of  their 
heart,  or  the  fublimity  ot  their  understanding.  To  a 
perfon  of  any  refinement  or  fenfibility,  houfes,  without 
conveniences,  and  children,  without  proviiion,  are  but 
a  melancholy  portion  !  If  merchants  or  lawyers  had  no 
better  profpe&s,  what  would  be  their  exertions  ?  And 
yet,  under  all  this  heavy  load  of  embarrafTment,  what 
great  and  good  men  do  our  annals  boaft ! 

Fanaticsy  indeed,  alledge,  that  pallors  fliould  be  fu- 
perior  to  all  hopes  of  reward,  except  in  heaven.  Pla- 
to has  likewife  faid,  that  we  (hould  be  raifed  above  the 
fenk  of  pain.  But  neither  thofe  vilionaries,  nor  this 
philofopher,  have  been  able  to  change  the  nature  of 
things  ;  to  take  from  nerves,  their  fenfibility ;  from 
the  world,  its  infolence  ;  from  education,  its  delicacy  -, 
or  from  poverty,  its  flings. 

*  The  B— p  of  L-d-ff. 


YOUNG      LADY.  9S 

And  we  have  learned  from  an  higher  authority,  than 
cither  of  theirs,  that  "  the  chriftian  labourer  is  worthy 
"  of  his  hire,  and  that  he  who  ferves  at  the  altar, 
w  fhcuid  live  of  the  altar.'* 


LETTER       XXXIX. 


B 


lOOKS  and  rules  of  all  kinds,  are  the  theory  of  re- 
ligion, and  can  have  no  further  ufe,  than  as  they  lead 
to  praclice.  We  have,  then,  profitted  by  fyftems  and 
©pinions,  when  our  life  is  a  continual  comment  on  what 
we  have  read,  and  we  make  the  light  of  our  example 
fhine  before  men. 

Chriftianity  has  but  two  capital  features  ;  Jove  to 
God,  evidenced  in  acts  o(  piety  ;  and  good  will  to- 
wards man,  exemplified  in  all  the  pofTibilities  of  doing 
good.  As  devotion,  however  neceflary,  can  bring  no 
profit  to  our  Maker,  any  more  than  a  little  taper  can 
add  to  the  fplendors  of  the  fun,  the  fcriptures  have  laid 
the  greateft  ftrefs  on  charity  to  our  fellow-creatures*— 
This  is  called  the  "  end  of  the  commandment ;"  it  is 
■the embodying  of  our  piety  ;  and  the  world  could  not 
fubfift  without  it.  '  Human  life  is  full  of  woe.  Cha- 
rity is  the  angel,  that  binds  up  the  fores  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  heals  the  broken  in  heart,  clothes  the  naked, 
and  feeds  the  hungry.     The  poor  are  made  the  repre- 


96  TLOE  TTE  RS     re    A 

fentatives  of  Chrifb ;  whatever  we  give-  to  them^   \ 
fcripture  language,   beftowed  on  the  Saviour.      Moth 
and  rult  corrupt  the  ireaUires  v.e  hoard  up,  but  this  is 
placed  in  thofe  hinds  of  heaven  which- never  fail* 

The  Saviour  las  laid,  that  "  it  is  more  bleffaLto 
"give  than  to  receive."  And  the  pleafures,  which 
fpring  from  charity,  prove  its  origin  to  be  divine.  What 
value  lias  an  heap  of  money,  or  what  confeious  digni- 
ty {\o  we  derive  from  it,  if  it  is  not  employed  in  giving 
comfort  to  the  miierabLe.,  aoH  pf ote&ion  to  thediitrels- 
ed? 

The  very  poor  are  provided  for  by  the  laws  of  the 
kingdom.  And  common  beggars  are  far  from  being  the 
mod  de'fervmg  objects.  Charity  fhould  rather  feek  out 
the  mode  ft  and  Uncomplaining,  who  have  ken  better 
days,  and  have  all  the  pains  of  a  delicate  fenfibility,  an- 
nexed to  their  diftrefs. 

True  charity  does  not  fo  much  confift  in  multiply- 
ing little  alms  to  a  number  of  poor  people,  as  in  mak- 
ing fome  grand  and  well-directed  efforts  in  favour  of-a 
few.  Educating  one  child  of  an  over-burthened  fami- 
ly, is  a  greater  ad  of  beneficence,  than  retailing  to  them, 
occasionally,  a  thoufund  petty  benefactions.  It  is  not 
a  few,  fcattered  drops  of  rain,  but  it  is  a  generous 
fhower,  coming  ail  at  once,  which -revives  the  parched 
earth,  and  quickens  vegetation. 

it  is  amazing  what  charities  even  a  fmall fortune  will 
enable  people  to  perform,  if  under  the  influence  of  a 
christian  ceconomy.  A  few  retrenchments  from  drefs* 
vanity  or  pleafure,  poured  into  the  chriftian  Mock,  will 
make  it  rich  indeed. 


YOUNG    LA  D  Y.  97 

I  do  not  know  a  better  prance,  than  that  of  the  pri- 
mitive chriftiai is—  laying  by,  on  the  firft  day  of  the 
week,  a  little  pittance  foi  tnis  purpofe.  Thefe  dro|>s 
^vill  not  he  miffed  from  the  general  refervoir,  and  ytf, 
soileciivchy  will  rain  a  (hower  of  bleilings  on  many  in- 
digent and  diih'ciTed. 


LETTER      XL. 


Y. 


OUNG  ladies  have  many  methods  of  chafitybe- 
fides  the  mere  act  of  giving  money.  That  time,  which 
fometimes  hangs  heavy  on  their  hands,  might  be  ufe- 
fulJy  employed  in  making  garments  for  the  naked,  or 
providing  cordials  for  the  fick.  Such  an  active  bene- 
volence would  likewife  be  an  excellent  recipe  for  *their 
health  and  Ipirits  j  it  would  dignify  their  character, 
2nd,  when  the  lafl  moment  came,  gratitude  would 
*  ihew  the  garments,  which  a  Dorcas  had  made,"  and 
the  good  name  "  they  had  acquired,  would  be  infinite- 
ly richer,  and  more  precious  than  ointment." 

If  L  wilhed  a  woman  to  be  univtrjuiiy- charming,  I 
would  recommend  this  expedient.  Companion  isthc 
higneil  excellence  or  your  lex,  and  charity  is  the  fa- 
cred  root  from  which  it  fprmgjs •     The  foft  bofom  of  a 

i 


93  LETTERS    to   a 

woman,  throbbing  with  fympathy,  or  her  eye  glirten- 
i:)g  with  cryftal  drops  of  pity,  are  fome  of  the  nneft 
touches  in  nature's  pencil*      The  whole  train  of  ac- 
complishments, the  whole  group  of  graces,  do  not  ex- 
alt her  half  fo  much  in  the  eftimation  of  the  worthy 
the  amiable,  and  the  difcerning.     Alas  !   when  death 
comes,   what  will   be  all   the   accomplishments   and 
graces  ?  But  charity  fhall  never  fail  j  its  pleafures,  tbenf 
arc  gaining  their  meridian  of  perfection.     Remember 
what  the  fcripture  has  faid,  "  alms-giving  delivereth 
M  from  death,  and  will  not  fuffer  us  to  come  into  dark- 
"  nefs.     The  young  lady  you  have  fo  frequently  heard 
me  mention,  as  itandircg  high  in  my  cfteem,  is  very  e- 
minently  diftinguifhed  by  this  grace.    Nature  has  been 
fumaently  kind  to  her  per/on ;  but  it  is  not  her  fwect 
complexion,  it  is  not  her  flowing,  unartiftcial  ringlets, 
it  is  not  the  foftmfs  of  her  voice  and  manner,  or  the 
?ni!d\ui\re  of  her  eyes,  that  would  have  called   forth 
a  panegyric  from  my  pen,  or  touched  a  breaft,  that  is 
confiderably  petrefted  with  philofophy  and  reflexion. 
It  is  a  convidtion  that  (be  lives  in  the  conftant  exercife 
of  piety,  that  her  excellencies  are  chiefly  thofe  of  the 
mind,  and  that  her  benevolence  is  bounded  only  by 
creation. 

When  others  are  at  plays  or  aflemblics,  her  fair 
hands  arc  making  garments  for  the  naked,  or  reftora- 
tives  for  the  tick.  The  ingenuity,  which  fome  of  her 
filler  females  employ,  to  adorn  thcmfehcSj  is  coufecrated 
by  km%  to  the  fervice  of  the  poor. 

This  is  laying  up  in  ttorc  againft  the  day  of  necefT- 
tv.     7'his  is  weaving  for  hcrfelf  a  chaplet  of  laurels, 


YOUNG     LADY.  99 

that  (hall  be  green  in  age.  Her  countenance  (hall  fmile 
even  in  diflblution.  A  beauteous  ruin  u  even  in  death 
"  fhe  fhall  have  power  to  charm  ;"  and  the  gratitude 
of  fame  admiring  bard  (hall  collect  her  fcattered  me- 
rits into  an  urn  that  (hall  long  fecure  the  precious  re- 
licks  from  the  ravages  of  time. 

But  1  will  not  add  another  touch  to  the  portrait,  for 
fear  of  difcovering  the  excellent  original.  I  mould 
wound  the  foft  and  delicate  timidity,  which  is,  in  my 
idea,  the  enamel  of  her  graces.  Her  true  merit  wifhes 
to  be  unknown.  It  is  fatisfied  with  its  nvn^  and  the  ap- 
probation of  its  God* 


LETTER      XLL 

jfn^LMS,  however,  to  the  body,  which  muft  very  foon 
perilh,  are  but,  if  I  may  fo  fay,  the  tbrefhcldof  charity. 
The  true  fublime  of  it,  is  companion  to  the  foul  j  be- 
caufe  that  is  immortal,  and  can  never  die. 

Every  effort  to  fave  this,  is  exalted  in  its  nature,  and 
the  neareit  approach  we  can  make,  in  thefe  houfes  of 
clay,  to  the  nainiftry  of  angels,  to  the  attributes  of  Je- 
hovah, and  to  the  unbounded  compaflion  of  him,  who 
died  for  the  fins  of  all. 

la 


ioo  LETTERS    to    a 

A  few,  timely  advices,  inflruftions  or  reproofs  to 
thofe  over  whom  our  fortune  or  Ration  gives  us  any 
influence,  may  have  more  lading  and  beneficial  c< 
quences,  than  all  the  food  or  raiment,  ur  money,  *e 
can  poilibly  bellow  ;  at  leaft,  when  we  give  our  tem- 
poral things,  they  fhouJd  be  perfumed  with  jpintual^ 
u  with  words,  thus  fpoken  in  due  feafon." 

The  inftitution  of  Sunday  Schools,  promifes  the 
happielt  ccnfequences  to  the  poor,  and  the  community 
at  large.  It  has,  indeed,  already  produced  a  (urprifing 
reformation.  The  prefent  age  beholds  the  dawn  of  a 
blefTed  morning,  which,  in  another,  may  brighten  into 
a  more  perfect  day. 

If  it  fails,  it  will  be  from  careleflhefs  and  indolence 
in  the  parenis  themfelves,  or  from  want  of  attentioa 
in  the  higher  orders  of  people.  Many,  who  will  give 
their  money,  are  not  equally  liberal  of  their  exertion. 
This  grand  fcheme,  Itowever,  requires  an  unremitting 
labour  and  vigilance.  It  is  the  watchful  eye  of  fuperi- 
srs,  which  alone  will  produce  exemplarinefs  in  the 
teachers,  or,  in  the  fcholars,  emulation.  And  1  do  not 
know  a  greater  charity  within  the  fphere  of  a  )Oung 
lady,  than  to  vifit  the  girls  in  thefe  ufeful  feminanes,  in 
vorder  to  correct  their  foibles,  encourage  their  dawning 
virtues,  and  ftimulate  ihcm  to  improvement.  Clofe, 
uncomfortable  rooms,  it  is  true,  in  cellars  or  garrets^ 
poifoned  with  unpleafant  fmells,  and  but  filled  with 
potr  ihildreriy  are  no  very  inviting  objects  to  thofe 
who  live  in  houfes  "  ceiled  with  cedar,  and  painted 
*  with  vermilion. "      But  the  merit  of  the  action  is, 


YOUNG     LADY.  101 

doubtlefs,  in  proportion  to  its  unpleafantnefs ;  and  it 
is  done  for  him,  who,  on  our  account,  refufed  neither 
hardfhip  nor  diftrefs.  Thefe  poor  children,  he  has 
vouchfafed  to  call  "  his  Iambs,"  and  it  is  a  moft  chrif- 
tian  effort,  to  "  feed  them." 

Such  advice,  will,  doubtlefs,  found  very  ftrangely  in 
the  ears  of  (oma  young  ladies,  who  dare  "  fcarcely  fet 
"  their  feet  upon  the  ground,  for  delicatenefs  and  ten* 
u  dernefs."  But  this,  alas  !  is  a  falfe  and  over- acted 
refinement.  They  were  not  born  merely  to  vegetate, 
like  tulips,  for  ojientation.  The  world,  their  friends, 
the  poor,  religion,  have  claims  upon  them.  All  na- 
ture, fun,  moon,  ftars,  tides,  preach  up  the  neceffity  of 
continual  aflion  ;  and  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  this 
kind  of  exertion  would  be  recompenfed  with  fuch  a 
fecret  pleafure,  as  they  never  found  in  the  gayeft  circks 
of  fafhion,  or  the  moil  crowded  haunts  of  difiipation. 

Another  excellent  mode  of  chanty,  is,  difperfing  little, 
religious  tracls  among  your  poor  neighbours.  Thefe, 
with  the  blefling  of  God,  may  have  a  wonderful  ef- 
fect, and,  indeed,  be  doing  moit  extenfive  good,  when 
you  are  no  more,  •  Every  family  of  fervants  fhouM 
have  a  fmall  chriftian  library;  thebenef-s,  I  doubt 
not,  would  foon  be  felt  in  their  orderly  deportment. 

The  Society  for  promoting  christian  knowledge,?- 
bounds  with  a  variety  of  little,  plain,  ufeful  treatifes, 
that  are  fuited  to  all  occafions.  You  may  eafily  pro- 
cure a  catalogue  of  the  whole,  and  fdett  fuch,  as  are 

13 


i-i  L  E  T  T  £  R  £     to   a 

moft  adapted  to  the  ftate  of  your  particular  depen- 
dents. 

On  the  whole,  my  dear  girl,  that  time  which  tar- 
nilheth  the  glory  of  all  human  thing*,  will  quickly  lay 
both  you  and  me,  in  the  duft  of  the  earth.  Let  us 
endeavour  to  extend  this  little  fpan,  by  amiable  -acti- 
ons, and,  if  poflible,  render  our  memories  immortal. 


LETTER       XLII. 


MY  DEAR  LUCY, 

JL  HE  very  firft  thing  I  fnould  recommend,  after  re- 
ligious duties,  as  abfolutely  eflential  to  your  private 
comfort,  is  felf -government^  in  the  fulleft  fenfe  of  the 
word.  This  may  be  fuppofed  to  be  included  under 
the  article  of  religion.  And  fo,  in  fact,  it  is.  But 
there  are  many  well-difpofed  people,  that  feem  to  think 
little  things  of  this  kind,  almoft  beneath  their  notice, 
though,  in  reality,  they  are  interwoven  with  the  repofe 
of  every  day,  and  almoft  every  moment. 

The  difcipline  of  the  imagination  is  the  firft  thing  to 
be  attempted.  This,  in  young  people,  is  naturally 
v.ann  ;  and,  if  they  arc  not  cautious,  will  be  apt  to 
wiiflead  them  into  very  dangerous  errors. 


YOUNG     LADY.  1*3 

Thus,  whatever  captivates  their  /amy,  they  take, 
without  examination,  to  be  all  over  excellence.  Tin- 
fel,  becaufe  it  glitters  more,  will  be  preferred  to  folid 
gold  ;  a-  luxuriant,  florid  ftyle  in  a  writer,  to  the  found- 
eft  and  beft  arranged  arguments  ;  the  fhewy  and  bril- 
liant in  characters,  to  the  truly  valuable,  and  the  gaudy 
in  drtfsy  to  that  artlefs  Simplicity,  which  is  the  offspring 
of  an  elegant  and  well  cultivated  tafte. 

Young  people,  almoft  univerfally  fubject  themfelves 
to  this  kind  of  illufwn.  They  enter  upon  life,  as  an 
inchanted  country.  The  world,  in  their  idea,  has  no 
caprice ;  fortune,  no  viciffitude  ;  friendship  is  without 
infincerity  ;  attachment,  without  bitters,  and  marriage 
is  all  happinefs,  without  allay.  What  the  fcripture  has 
called  a  ivildernefs,  they  make  a  paradife,  whofe  landfcapes 
are  delicioufly  picturefque,  and  whofe  fpring  is  ever 
green. 

Experience,  be  afTured,  will  not  realize  fuch  high  ex- 
pectations. You  will  find,  that  every  object  has  its 
imperfections  ;  that  the  world,  at  beft,  is  but  a  mixture 
of  good  and  ill,  and  that  the  lights  of  the  picture  will 
be  interfperfed  with  fhades. 

You  will  afk,  where  is  the  great  harm  of' indulging, 
for  a  little  while,  thefe  high  colourings  of  fancy  ?  The 
inconvenience  is  obvious.  It  will  expofe  you  to  per- 
petual difappointments,  and  difappointments  will  cre- 
ate difguft.  By  fuch  z  falfe  fublimation,  you  will  have 
no  relifh  for  the  rational  pleafures,  and  no  refolution  to 
perform  the  folid  duties  of  ycur  condition.      At  any 


ic4  LETTERS   to  a 

rate,  you  will  want  a  proper  (hare  of  fortitude  and  pa- 
tience to  encounter  the  many  unavoidable  ills  and  ca- 
lamities of  life. 


LETTER     XLIIL 

X  HE  ntxty  moft  important  thing,  is,1  the  govern- 
ment of  your  temper,  I  know  many  perfons,  that 
would  not,  for  the  world,  be  abfent  from  the  facra- 
ment,  or  refufe  to  do  a  generous  aclion,  yet  indulge 
themfelves,  feemingly  without  remorfe,  in  fuch  little 
inftances  of  ill-nature,  peevifhnefs,  tyranny,  and  ca- 
price towards  their  fervants  -and  inferiors,  as  render 
their  houfes  a  perpetual  fcene  of  difcord,  and  hang,  on 
every  countenance,  an  uncomfortable  gloom. 

Such  people  (hould  confider,  that  religion  was  in- 
tended to  regulate  the  moft-  ordinary  actions  of  our 
lives ;  that  prayers,  facraments,  and  opportunities  of 
doing  great  good,  come,  comparatively,  but  feldom  ; 
but  that  it  is,  every  moment,  in  our  power  to  diffufe 
happinefs  among  our  domeftics,  and  that  this,  if  it 
proceeds  from  proper  motives,  will  be  an  acceptable  fer- 
vice  to  the  God,  who  has  appointed  all  the  different 
ranks  in  fociety,  and  is  the  Father  of  all  companion. 
Nor  have  we  much  imbibed  the  true  fpirit  of  the  gof-' 


Y  O  U  N  G    LADY.  105 

pe).  if  it  has  not  taught  us  to  bear  patiently  the  im- 
perfections of  our  fellow-creatures,  and  to  temper  au- 
thority with  gentlenefs  and  £ood-nature. 

No  confluence  can  juftify  one  (ingle  act  of  caprice 
fullcnnefs  or  ill-humour.  It  is  a  direct  violation  of 
that  univerfal  law  of  charity,  which  requires  us,  in  all 
our  actions,  to  keep  in  view,  the  happinefs  of  others,  as 
well  as  our  own. 

Tyranny  is  a  downright  infuft  to  any  creature  form- 
ed in  the  image  of  God  ;  it  would  be  unpardonable, 
if  exercifed  even  to  a  worm  or  infect,  and  generally 
proceeds  from  caufes,  which  reflect  no  honour  on  the 
heart  or  understanding.  It  is  often  the  reiuh  of  a 
new-born  greatnefs,  that  has  not  yet  learned  how  to 
bear  fuperiority  j  of  a  fpleen,  collected  from  want  of 
employment,  or  a  natural,  ill-temper,  that  never  has 
fubmitted  to  the  difciplineof  virtue. 

Mildncfs  is  neceffary  to  our  own  comfort.  They, 
who  are  continually  tormenting  others,  muft  be  wretch- 
ed themfclves.  Jt  is  efTential  to  the  dignity  of  our  turn 
character;  and  it  is,  1.  am  fure,  the  higheft policy,  whe- 
ther we  mean  to  fecure  the  ajflclions,  or  the  good  fer- 
vices  of  our  dependents. 

It  is  a  pitiful  condefcenfion  in  a  woman  of  fortune, 
to  aggravate  every  little  caufe  of  complaint.  A  ruffled, 
angry,  fcolding  woman,  is  fo  far  vulgar  and  difgufting, 
and,  for  the  moment,  a  fort  of  virago. 

Moderation  is- the  great  fecret  of  government.  To 
be  always  diflatisfied,  is  the  way  to  lofe  all  authority 
and  refpect.     The  confequence  of  thofe  people,  is  molt 


i*6  LETTERS   to  a 

cheerfully  acknowledged,  who  feem  the  leaft  forward 
to  afiert  it. 

And  what  fays  the  law  of  all  wifdom,  and  of  all 
perfection  ?  "  Matters,  give  unto  your  fervants,  that 
"  which  is  juft  and  equal,  knowing  that  ye  alfo  have  a 
tc  matter  in  heaven.  Put  on,  as  the  elecl  of  God,  bow- 
"  els  of  mercies,  kindnefs,  humblenefs  of  mind,  long 
<l  fuffering,  forbearing  one  another,  and  forgiving  one 
"  another.  Learn  of  me,  for  1  am  meek  and  lowly  in 
"  heart.     Be  pityful,  be  courteous." 

Jf  the  gofpel  waspubhfhed  "to  bring  peace  on  earth, 
"  and  good-will  towards  men,"  this  kind  afFeclion 
mould  begin  with  families,  which,  colitfttvel^  campofe 
all  the  nations  of  the  world. 


LETTER      XLIV, 


T. 


HE  piety,  I  have  recommended,  will  make  you 
always  happy  in  yourfelf,  and  refpecled  by  all  the  wor- 
thy and  difcerning,  though  you  mould  happen  to  have 
none  of  thofe  intellefiual  endowments,  which  procure  a 
greater  (hare  of  fame  and  admiration.  But  you  may 
be  Jc->fMe,  as  well  as  pious  ;  you  may  be  entertaining,  as 
well  as  good.  Your  reafon  and  underitanding  were  gi- 
ven you  to  be  improved  >  a  proper  purfuit  of  knowledge, 


YOUNG      LADY.  107 

at  the  fame  time,  will  aid  and  inflame  your  piet)\  and 
render  you  much  more  valuable  and  intending  to  all 
your  acquaintance.  When  the  foundation  is  laid  in  vir- 
tue, the  JuperJiruCiure  may  have  every  graceful  embel* 
Jifhment. 

Knowledge  will  recommend  you  to  many,  over  whom 
mere  piety  would  have  no  power.  It  will  give  a  great- 
er energy  to  your  goodnefs.  The  picture  will  be  thus 
elegantly  framed,  and  placed  in  the  belt  point  of  view* 

Learned  women,  however,  have  been  often  a  proverb 
of  reproach,  feared  by  their  own  fex,  and  difliked  by 
ours.  A  neglect  of  their  peribn,  and  of  family  con* 
cerns,  as  of  little  things  beneath  a  juperior  understand- 
ing \  a  vain  oftentation  of  their  abilities  in  company^ 
and  upon  all  occafionsj  a  fupercilious  contempt  of  their 
fitter  women  in  general,  and  an  ungraceful  avidity  for 
the  company  of  men,  have  been  reckoned  among  their 
diftinguilhed  chara&erifhcs. 

The  truth  is,  fome  females  have  been  viragos  in  their 
knowledge,  not  only  injudicious  in  the  kind  they  have 
afpired  to,  but  the  vfe  they  have  made  of  it,  and  an  in- 
dijerbninate  Aigma  has  been  fixed  upon  all,  who  have 
endeavoured  rationally  to  improve  their  understand- 
ings. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  faid  of  women,  that  they 
are  kO  ignorant,  frivolous  and  infipid,  as  to  be  unlit  for 
friendfhip,  fociety  or  converfation  j  that  they  are  una- 
ble to  amufe,  entertain  or  edify  a  lonely. hour,  mucl 
more  to  blefs  or  grace  that  eonnexion  for  which  they 
were  principally  formed. 


i:8  LETTERS   to  a 

What,  my  dear  girl,  can  a  judicious  woman  do,  in 
fuch  a  dilemma  ?  How  mull  flic  act  to  avoid  the  im- 
putation cf  pedantry  on  the  one  hand,  and  ignorance 
on  the  other  ? 

There  is  a  narrow,  middle  path  betwixt  thcfe  extremes* 
Judgment  muft  point  it  out,  and  good  fenfe  direct  you 
in  the  execution. 

The  prominent  excellencies  of  your  minds,  are  tarte 
and  imagination,  and  your  knowledge  mould  be  of  a 
kind,  which  ajjimilates  with  thefe  faculties.  Politics, 
phiiofophy,  mathematics,  or  metaphyfics,  are  not  your 
province.  Machiavel,  Newton,  Euclid,  Malebranche 
or  Locke,  would  lie  with  a  very  ill  grace  in  your  cloiets. 
They  would  render  you  unwomanly  indeed.  They 
would  damp  that  vivacity,  and  deftroy  that  difengaged 
cafe  and  foftmfs,  which  are  the  very  ejfence  of  your 
graces. 

The  elegant  ftudies  are,  more  immediately,  your  de- 
partment. They  do  not  require  fo  much  time,  ab- 
straction, or  comprehenfivenefs  of  mind  ;  they  bring 
no  wrinkles,  and  they  will  give  a  polilh  to  your  man- 
ners, and  fuch  a  liberal  expanfion  to  your  underftand- 
ing,  as  every  rational  creature  mould  endeavour  to  at- 
tain. 

While  men,  with  folic!  judgment,  and  a  fuperior  v/- 
gcr,  are  to  combine  ideas,  to  discriminate,  and  exam- 
ine a  fubje£t  to  the  bottom,  you  are  to  give  it  all  its 
hrilliancy,  and  all  its  charms.  They  provide  the  furni- 
ture ;  you  difpofe  it  with  propriety.  7  fay  build  tlip 
fcoufe  \  ytru  are  to  fancy,  and  to  ornament  the  ceiling. 


YOUNG     LAD  Y.  ic9 

Cultivate,  then,  fuch  ftudies,  as  lie  within  the  regi- 
on of  fentiment  and  taftc.  Let  your  knowledge  be 
fciahwif)  as  well  |S  your,  perfon.  And  let  it  glow  with- 
in you,  rather  than  fparkle  upon  others  about  you.  A 
diamond,  fo  pclilhed,  will  always  be  valued.  You 
will  charm  all,  but  the  ignorant  and  vulgar,'  You  will 
be  a  rational,  entertaining  companion,  and  the  fymme- 
try  of  your  features  will  derive  a  double  luftre  from 
the  beauties  of  your.  mind. 


L    E    T    T    E    JR.       XLV. 


E> 


rNDEAVOUR  to  acquire  a  tafle  for  the  beaufe 
of  fine  writing,  as  it  is  difplayed  in  our  prefent,  nu- 
merous Hit  ot  Englifh  daffies,  the  Spectators,  Tatiers, 
the  Guardian,  the  Rambler,  the  Adventurer,  the 
World,  Sec.  I  have  placed  Addiibn  at  the  bead  of  this 
catalogue,  becaufe  he,  more  frequently  than  any  of  the 
reft,  gives  leffbns  of  morality  and  prudence  to  your 
fex,  and,  for  delicacy  of  fentiment,  is  peculiarly  adap- 
ted to  female  reading.  There  is,  fometimes,  perhaps, 
a  languor  in  his  papers.  He  may  not  have  all  that  lire 
and  energy,  and  pathos,  which  have  fi nee  characterized 
fome  celebrated  writers  j  but  for  eafe,  gracefulnefs, 
fimplicity  and  nature,  he  is  abfolutsly  without  a  rival, 
K 


no  LETTERS    to    a 

and,  perhaps,  ever  will  be  without  a  fuperior.     A  cri- 
tic *  of  modern  times  lias  faid,  that  whoever  would 
write  the  Englifh  language  with  eafe,  fhould  fpend  his 
days  and  nights  in  reading  the  works  of  Addifon. 

To  this  frequent  perufal  of  the  beft  writers,  add,  if 
pofTible,  an  acquaintance  with  fome  living  characters  of 
improved  education.  Converfation  with  people  of  ge- 
nius and  fentiment,  is  the  cafieft  and  quickeft  way  to 
improvement.  It  gives  us  all  its  graces,  without  its 
aufterities  ;  its  depth,  without  its  wrinkles.  We  foon 
grow  languid  and  gloomy  with  abftracted  ftudies,  wea- 
ry of  durfelves,  and  fated  with  our  purfuits.  Conver- 
fation gently  agitates  the  fedentary  frame,  and  gives  a 
brifker  motion  to  the  blood  and  fpirits.  The  coun- 
tenance is  flumed  with  pleafure  ;  the  eyes  fparkle,  and 
the  heart  expands  and  glows  with  emulation. 


LETTER      XLVI. 

JL  O  write  letters  well  is  a  very  defirable  excellence 
in  a  woman.  Every  fituation,  character,  connexion* 
devotion,  friendship,  love,  bufinefs,  all  require  the  ex- 
crcife  of  this  talent.  It  is  an  office  particularly  fuited 
to  the  livelinefs  of  your  fancy,  and  the  fcnfibility  ©f 

*  Dr.  Johnfon. 


YOUNG     LADY.  m 

your  heart ;  and  your  fex,  in  general,  much  excels  our 
own,  in  the  eafe  and  graces  of  epiftolary  correfpon- 
dence.  Not  cramped  with  the  (hackles  and  formality 
of  rules,  their  thoughts  are  expreflcd/pontaneou/fy-)  as 
they  flow,  and  become,  more  immediately,  (what  a  let- 
ter always  Jhould  be)  a  lively,  amufing,  written  conver- 
fation.  A  man  attends  to  the  niceties  of  grammar,  or 
well-turned  periods  ;  a  woman  gives  us  the  effuiionscc 
her  foul.  The  firft  may  pleafe  a  few  languid  critics  ; 
the  latter  will  delight  every  perfon  of  fenfibility  and 
difcernment. 

I  had  once  the  honour  of  correfponding  with  a  lady 
whofe  letters  aftonifhed  me.  Imagery,  tafte,  pathos, 
fpirit,  fire  and  eafe,  vied  with  each  other,  which  mould 
be  the  moft  confpicuous  feature  in  the  production- of  her 
pen.  They  came  not  from  the  head',  it  was  the  heart 
which  wrote  them.  They  were  not  faultlefs,  but  they 
were  impaflioned.  They  had  defects,  but  they  had 
likewife  beauties,  which  muft  have  warmed  the  coldeft 
critic  that  ever  exifted.  They  were  interefting  to  an 
high  degree,  and  left  this  conviction  ftrongly  on  my 
mind,  that  we  often  labour  only  to  be  dull,  and,  in  the 
fearch  of  dijlant  ornaments,  chill  the  natural  fervours 
of  the  foul. 


ii2  LETTERS    to    a 


LETTER       XLVIL 


w. 


ITH  the  hiftory  cf  your  own  country,  you 
cannot  decently  be  unacquainted.  It  would  betray  an 
unpardonable  ignorance,  if  you  could  not  tell,  on  be- 
ing afked  in  company,  the  general  character  of  all  the 
fovereigns  that  have  fat  upon  the  Britifh  throne  ;  what 
were  the  religion,  manners,  cufloms,  ceremonies  of  the 
primitive  inhabitants  of  the  ifland  ;  by  what  means 
the  prefent  ftate  of  civilization  has  been  gradually  in- 
troduced ;  what  contributed  to  bring  about  cur  refor- 
mation from  the  church  of  Rome  j  at  what  period 
the  outline  of  our  happy  constitution  firft  began  to  be 
iketched  out,  and  what  is  the  particular  excellence  of 
our  government,  over  all  others  in  the  known  world. 

If,  indeed,  you  confuler  hiiiory  in  its  proper  light, 
not  as  a  mere  detail  cf  names,  facts,  epochs,  and  e- 
vents,  but  as  a  picture  of  human  nature,  and  of  the 
wonderful  administration  of  Providence,  apportioning 
rewards  and  punishments  to  nations,  and  frequently  to 
individuals,  according  to  their  actions,  it  will  become 
not  only  an  entertaining  ftudy,  but  a  fource  of  the  fu- 
blimeft,  moral  improvement.  It  will  give  you  the 
richeft  knowledge  of  men  and  things  ;  from  what  has 
happened,  you  may  deduce  what  u-;'//,  in  fimilar  fixa- 
tions ;  and  you  will  le2rn  to  adore  the  wifdom,  juftice 
and  perfections  of  him,  who,  under  all  the  changes  of 
time,  falls  of  empire,  the  confli&s  of  paflion,  and  the 


YOUNG      LADY.  113 

interefts  of  man,  is  the  fame  "  yefterday,  to-day,  and 
for  ever  ;"  carrying  on,  amidft  all  apparent  difofder, 
one  grand  and  comprehenfive  fchemc  of  happinefs  and 
probation.  ■• 

Goldfmith  has  agreeably  abridged  and  condenfed  the 
Englifh  hiflory,  in  a  well-known  work  of  two  fmall 
volumes,  entitled  Letters  from  a  Nobleman  to  his  fob. 
If  your  curiofity  is  excited  to  purfue  this  ftudy  en  a 
larger  fcale,  Henry  will  give  you  every  thing  that  de- 
lights in  genius,  language,  colouring  and  defcription.* 

Hume  is,  by  no  means,  an  impartial  hiftorian,  but  he 
is  a  very  fplendid,  captivating  writer.'  If  he  is  not  dlf- 
paflionate,  he  is  always  enchanting ;  and,  if  he  does 
not  uniformly  Convince,  he  never  fails  to  charm. 

It  had  been  happy  for  this  writer,  if  he  had  never 
attempted  any  thing  but  hi/lory..  He  might  then  have 
gone  to  his  grave  with  unequivocal  applaufe.  But  in 
his  moral  and  metaphyfical  works,  he  is  an  enemy  to 
the  deareft  interefts  of  mankind,  he  has  endeavoured 
to  fap  the  foundations  of  that  religion,  which  is  the 
only  fource  of  every  hope  and  every  comfort.  His 
cold  and  _/«//<?»  fcepticifm  has  done  infinite  mifchief.  It 
more  than- follies  all  the  feftre  of  his  literary  fame. 

K3 

*  "  T)r.  Henry's  Hiftory  of  Great-Britain,  contains  more 
?,good  matter  than  any  hiftory  we  yet  have." 

Analytical  Review,  Number  III.  for  July,  1728,  p.  297. 


U4  LETTERS    to   a 

LETTER      XLVIIf. 


R 


OBERTSON's  hiftory  of  Charles  the  fifth,  and 
cf  Mary,  Queen  of  Scots,  will  both  inftrucl  and  en- 
tertain you.  The  hiftoriographer  has  been  efteemed 
an  excellent  writer.  But  I  have  always,  in  private* 
thought  his  ftyle  too  laboured  and  ftately.  It  has  nee 
the  eafe  and  fimplicity  of  the  ancients.  It  does  not 
equal  feveral  of  the  moderns.  It  has  neither  the  con- 
cue  energy  of  Hume,  nor  the  more  flowing  and  cafy 
graces  of  Gibbon. 

The  late  Dr.  Stewart,  in  a  very  elegant  work,  has 
controverted  almoft  all  the  aflertions  of  his  predeceiTor, 
concerning  Mary,  and  become  the  champion  of  this 
unfortunate  queen.  But  you  have  nothing  to  do  with 
literary  controverfy.  Leave  them  to  the  tribunal  or 
an  impartial  public.  Time  will  weigh  their  feparaVe 
merits  in  the  balance  of  truth  :  Either  or  both  of 
them,  will  exercife  your  tafte,  and  improve  your  un- 
derstanding. 

Stretch's  Beauties  of  Hifl yxj  *  will  furnifh  you  with 
many  fhort,  agreeable  anecdotes,  both  ancient  aad  mo- 
dern, at  a  very  fmall  expenfe  of  time  and  trouble. 
Knowledge,  thus  epitomized,  is  what  I  fhould  recom- 
mend. On  fuch  fubjecls,  you  want  fhort  and  pithy 
fketches,  rather  than  laboured  and  prolix  difTertations. 


*    h  new  Edition  of  which  has  lately  been  publifhed  in 
Dublin,  in  z  vols. 


YOUNG      L  A  D  V.  n5 

The  hiftory  of  Greece  and  Rome,  is  fo  frequently 
Eluded  to,  fd  connected  with  that  of  almoft  all  other 
nations,  and  fo  full  of  curious  incidents  and  anecdotes, 
that  a  little  knowledge  of  it  would  be  very  ufeful  and 
entertaining.  But,  in  general,  the  writers  on  the  fub- 
ject,  are  too  voluminous,  for  kfihfiihi  They  make  up 
no  little  (hare  of  the  labour,  in  a  claflical  education. 
Goldfmith  has  likewife  given  his  affiftance  to  epitomize 
this  branch  of  Hfifefv.  •  I  know  no  other  writer  fo  pro- 
per tor  your  purpofe, 

To  attain  juft  a  gtimpfc  of  general  hiftory,  the  moil: 
ufeful  work  I  recoiled,  is  the  Abbe  Millet's  Elcmenhs 
fiit  rHljloire.  On  his  comprehenfive  and  condenfed 
plan,  there  is  much  in  a  little  compafs.  By  travelling 
over  a  few  fields,  you  gain  a  moft  immenfeand  extend- 
ed horizon,  and  many  tracts  of  hitherto  undifcovered 
country.  Hiftory,  at  large,  is  fo  voluminous  and  com- 
plicated, that,  to  a  young  lady,  who  mould  underitand, 
as  it  were,  but  the  outline,  it  very  much  wants  fuch  a 
•v.ode  of  abridgement  and  ftmplificatioti. 


LETTER      XLIX. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 


R 


OLLIN's  ancient  hiftory,  is  a  treafure  to  young 
people,  if  the  number  of  volumes  does  not  alarm  you. 


n6  LETTERS    to  a 

This  man  was  one  "of  the  moit  excellent  preceptors 
that  the  world  ever  faw.  It  was  his  ambition  to  unjte 
the  fcholar,  and  the  christian.  He  labours  to  promote 
religious  improvement,  by  every  incident  he  relates. 
He  holds  forth  Providence,  as  continually  fuperintend- 
ing  the  government  of  the  univerfe,  and  its  finger,  as 
directing  all  the  movements  of  the  fyftem  ;  and,  when 
he  has  related  a  number  of  furprifing  viciflitudes  and 
events,  he  takes  his  pupil  up  "  to  an  high  mountain, 
"  from  whence  he  fhews  him  all  the  kingdoms  ot  the 
"  world,  and  all  the  glories  of  them"  to  be  continu- 
ally under  the  controul  and  direction  of  heaven,  and 
not  colleflivefy  to  polTefs  half  the  luftre  of  the  excel- 
lence of  one  pious  difpofition. 

Under  the  pen  of  this  moit  chriftian  writer,  every 
bafer  metal  is  purified  from  its  alloy.  Every  founding 
aclion  is  diverted  of  its  bombafl,  and  traced  to  its  real 
fource.  Splendour  has  no  dignity,  if  unaflbciated 
Y'hh  virtue.  Ambition  is  painted  as  a  fury  that  de- 
ftroys.  Heroifm  is  reprefented  a&  murder  in  difguife. 
The  laurels  of  an  Alexander  are  wrefted  from  his  brow. 
Caefar  is  (tripped  of  his  fictitious  plumage.  They  are 
both  defcribed  as  vultures,  preying  en  their  fpecies,who 
were  born  to  be  only  the fcourges  of  humanity,  and  a 
terror  to  the  world. 

This  man  deferves  univerfal  veneration.  His  pupils 
fhould  have  raifed  a  monument  to  his  memory,  and- 
pofterity  have  rendered  that  monument  immortal. — 
Learning,  and  religion  ftiould   be  grouped  over  his 


YOUNG     LADY.  117 

f6mb,  mingling  their  united  tears  for  the  lofs  of  his 
virtues. 

If  you  have  not  leifure  to  perufe  his  writings,  yet 
be  careful  to  read  all  other  hiftory,  with  this  view,  and 
it  will  lead  you  to  God.  It  will  teach  you,  no  longer 
to  be  dazzled  with  grandeur,  becaufe  grandeur  fades 
away.  It  will  (hew  you,  that  vices  have  demolifhed 
the  mightieft  empires,  and  fwept  the  fineft  cities  "  with 
the  befom  of  deftruclion."  it  will  convince  you,  that 
every  thinq;  on  earth  is  a  madow,  and  that  neither  men 
nor  nations  "  continue  in  one  ftay."  It  will  allure 
you,  that,  "  though  clouds  and  darknefs  may  be  about 
the  throne  of  God,  yet  righteoufnefs  and  judgment 
are  the  habitation  of  his  feat."  It  will  inftrucT:  you, 
that  every  action  is  "weighed  in  its  balance  ;"  that, 
however,  feem'mgly,  difrcgarded  tor  a  time,  vice  and  vir- 
tue will  have  their  juft  proportion -of  puni(hment  or 
reward,  and  that  nothing  but  religion  will  be  able  to 
triumph,  amidft  the  crufh'of  elements,  of  matter,  and 
the  world. 


LETTER       L. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY,- 

X   HOUGH  I  think  every  woman  in  the  world 
/hould  execrate  the  memory  of  the  late  Lord  Chefter- 


u5  OTTERS    to    a 

field,  as  having  written  the  mcrt  fcandalous  libels  o^ 
her  fex,  yet  his  Sketches  of  heathen  mythology,  of 
Grecian,  Roman,  and  Britim  hiftory,  in  the  firft  vo- 
lume of  his  letters,  are  well  worth  your  attention.  If 
this  ingenious  nobleman  had  given  us  more  fpecimens 
of  this  nature,  and  fewer  lectures  on  the  graces  and  /'*- 
tngue,  the  gratitude  of  pofterity  would  have  embalmed 
his  2(hes.  He  was  certainly  poflefTed  of  an  elegant 
ftyle,  and  had  a  very  happy  method  of  conveying  his 
inrtruccticns. 

But  in  order  to  make  any  real  improvement  in  this, 
or  any  ether  of  your  ftudies,  let  me  advife  you  to  read 
only  one  half  hour  at  a  time,  and  to  employ  a  double 
fpace,  in  abridging  and  exprefling  what  you  recoiled, 
in  your  own  language.  This  will  have  the  double  ad<r 
vantage  of  imprefling  it  very  ftrongly  on  your  memo^ 
ry,  and  enabling  you  to  form  a  ftyle  of  your  own. 

Though  a  good  ftyle  is,  doubtlefs,  a  mark  of  genw 
us,  and  not  attainable  by  every  perfon,  yet  it  depends 
amazingly  on  mechanical  habit,  as  well  as  our  gait, 
countenance  or  gefture.  The  pen  accuftomed  to  a 
certain  routine  of  period,  performs  it  as  infenfibly  as 
the  memory  retraces  all  the  variations  of  notes  in  a 
fong,  whilft,  perhaps,  we  are  filently  occupied  with 
fome  other  object. 

Be  fo  kind  as  to  indulge  me  with  a  fight  of  thefe 
fheets  exactly  as  they  are  penned  from  your  fir/1  im- 
prefhons,  and  I  will  endeavour  to  correct  them.  Ba- 
nifli  the  childijh  fear  of  betraying  any  ignorance,  where 
I.  cannot  expert  you  to  be  informed  j    and,  if  fome  .ef- 


YOUNG      LADY.  ng 

fential  alterations  mould  be  made,  remember  it  is  the 
pen  of  friendfhip  which  erafes,  guided  by  that  affecti- 
on, with  which  I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Your  ever  faithful 
and  affectionate. 


LETTER       LI. 


J_  HAT  fpecies  of  hiftory,  which  defcribes  the  lives 
and  characters  of  particular  perfons,  and  is  included 
under  the  name  of  biography,  is,  by  far,  the  moft  ufe- 
ful  and  interefting  to  a  woman.  Inftead  of  wars, 
fieges,  victories  or  great  achievements,  which  are  not 
fo  much  within  the  province  of  a  female,  it  prefents 
thofe  domeflic  anecdotes  and  events,  which  come  more 
forcibly  home  to  her  bofom  and  her  curiofity. 

I  have  always  thought  that  one  great  advantage  of 
boys  over  girls,  is  their  having  the  moft  illuftrious  cha- 
racters of  antiquity  to  form  their  fentiments,  and  fire 
their  emulation.  Biography  will  open  to  you  the  fame 
fource  of  improvement.  You  will  read  of  perfons,  e- 
kvated  with  every  noble  fentiment  and  virtue;  and 
your  judgment  and  tafte  will  felect  fome  particular  fa- 
vourite from  the  group,  as  a  model  for  your  imitation* 


*2o  LETTERS     to    a 

Though  Johnfon  has  been  fo  very  much  celebrate*! 
in  the  republic  oi  letters,  for  all  his  productions,  )et  I 
have  always  thought  his  Lives  of  the  Poets,  by  far  his 
mod  agreeable  performance.  It  has  not  that  turgid 
pompofity  of  ftyle,  which  appears  in  fome  of  his  more 
juvenile  labours ;  iris,  all  along,  interfperfed  with  ju- 
dicious feutiments  and  moral  reflections  ;  it  abounds 
with  an  original  vein  of  criticifm,  and  anecdotes  of  fo 
many  illuftrious  men,  as  cannot  fail  to  amufe,  as  well 
as  to  inftruct.  His  criticifms,  it  is  true,  have  been  con- 
troverted and  traduced  ;  but  what  writings  of  merit 
are  exempt  from  fuch  a  tax?  The  enthuhaftic  admi- 
rers of  Milton,  in  particular,  have  handled  him  with 
feverity.  But  who  does  not  know,  that  favourites,  at. 
any  rate,  will  be  defended  ? 

But,  indeed,  all  men  of  fenfe  unite  in  paying  a  fin- 
cere  tribute  of  refpect  to  the  memory  of  Johnfon.— 
In  fpite  of  all  his  petty  and  ungenerous  biographers,  the 
fneers  of  party  malice,  or  the  frill  iharpcr  arrows  of  in- 
fidious  friends,  he  (lands  an  huge  coloffus,  in  thebofom 
of  an  ocean,  unmoved  with  the  angry  darning  of  its 
waves. 

Johnfon,  in  all  his  multiplied  productions,  has  not 
a  (ingle  period,  that  can  patronize  indecency,  or  un- 
hinge belief.  And,  though,  noivi  it  fignifies  but  little 
to  this  extraordinary  man,  that  he  was  confidered  as  an 
oracle  of  knowledge  in  his  day,  as  an  ornament  to  his 
country,  and  a  bleifing  to  the  world,  it  muft  tranfport 
him  to  recollect,  that  he  has  carefully  endeavoured  to 
diffufe  happinefs,  as  widely  as  his  writings,  and  to  ren- 
der piety  as  diffufive  as  his  fame.      The  death  of  the 


YOUNG     LADY.  121 

author  will  exempt  me  from  fufpicions  of  flattery,  or 
defign  in  this  little  panegyric.  Gratitude  may  be  al- 
lowed to  offer,  without  any  cenfure,  this  little  incenfe 
to  his  venerable  (hade. 

If  all  the  private  anecdotes  of  every  perfon's  life  and 
temper,  m-uft  be  arraigned  before  the  tribunal  of  -the 
public,  who  could  efcape  ?  If  John  (on  was  unaccom- 
modating, rough  and  morofe,  let  it  be  remembered, 
that  thefe  were  but  little  pimples  on  a  jkin$  where  the 
heart  glowed  with  univerfal  benevolence  j  let  it  be  con- 
iidered,  that  conflids,  difappointments  and  misfortunes, 
are  unfriendly  to  fwcetnefs  of  manners  or  difpofition  ; 
that  fevere  application  has  a  tendency  to  render  any 
man  irritable  and  peevifh  5  that  gaiety  and  fprightlinefs 
onfiderably  arife  from  an  eafe  of  circumftances  ;  and 
let  us  oppofe  to  thefe  a  piety  that  was  profound  and 
warm,  almoil  \o  fuperftition^  and  unwearied  labours  for 
the  fervice  of  mankind,  which  fcarcely  knew  a  mo- 
ment's interruption. 


LETTER      LII. 


OULLY's  Memoirs,  in  five  volumes,  are  interfperfed 
with  very  curious  and  interefting  anecdotes  j  and  the 
private  life  of  Louis  XV.  is  a  very  entertaining  work. 
Indeed  the  French  particularly  fnine  in  biographical 


122  LETTERS    to  a 

writing.  It  is  quite  in  their  province,  and  forms  a 
part  of  the  national  tafte.  Their  imagination  fparkles, 
in  an  efpecial  manner,  in  painting  the  complexion  of 
courts,  monarchs,  or  perfonages  of  diftinclion.  They 
feel  as  great  an  ardor  for  extolling  the  virtues  of  their 
le  rot)  and  his  attendants,  as  we  do  for  recording  all  the 
great  achievements  of  the  field  or  ocean. 

The  Marquis  Carraccioli,  is  univerfally  known,  as 
rm  author  of  great  vivacity  and  talents.  He  has  writ- 
ten the  life  of  Pope  Clement  XIV.  and  it  does  honour 
to  his  pen,  as  well  as  to  the  memory  of  the  fovereign 
pontiff. 

If  the  Marquis  really  wrote  the  letters,  which  go 
under  the  name  of  Ganganelli,  he  has  hit  off,  with  a 
wonderful  addrefs,  the  air  and  features  of  the  illustri- 
ous original.  The  habits,  fentiments,  manners  and 
drfpoGtion  of  the  Pope,  as  couched  in  this  life,  all 
breathe  through  thefe  letters. 

The  name  of  Dr.  Johnfon,  and  the  intimacy  known 
to  have  fubfifted  betwixt  the  parties,  have  grven  a 
great  currency  to  Mrs.  Piozzi's  anecdotes,  relating  to 
this  literary  hero.  But  they  have  not  immortalized  ei- 
ther her  talents,  or  the  goodnefs  of  her  heart.  They 
are  a  mod  difgufting  fpecimen  of  treachery  in  friend- 
fhip;  a  copious  cffufion  of  fpleen,  that  had  long  been 
collecting.  They  remind  one  forcibly  of  a  number 
of  little  infects,  nibbling,  at  their  cafe,  on  the  carcafe  of 
ibrne  noble  animal,  that  a  fingk  motion  of  the  living 
creature  would  have  difperfed  in  an  inftant,  or  crufried 
into  atoms. 


Y  O  U  N  G    LA  D  Y.  123 

LETTER      LIU. 

VV  RAXALL  is  a  very  agreeable  author,  and 
he  has  chofen  a  fruitful,  happy  fubjetf:,  in  his 
Memoirs  of  the  Kings  of  France,  of  the  Houfe  ot 
Valois.  The  execution  is  not  inferior  tothejudi- 
cioufnefs  of  the  defign.  His  book  has  an  admirer  in 
every  perfon  of  fentiment  and  tafte. 

The  late  Mr.  Sheridan  is  allowed  to  have  pofTeiTed 
confiderable  abilities.  He  has  given  the  world  a  fpeci- 
men  of  them  in  his  life  of  Swift.  It  is,  however,  in 
my  idea,  too  flattering  a  portrait.  The  painter  was  a 
countryman,  and  an  admirer.  No  talents  can  con- 
vert deformity  into  beauty,  or  make  darknefs  to  be 
light. 

Swift  was  a  very  great,  original  genius;  but  the  in- 
decency of  fome  of  his  writings  is  intolerable;  his 
fjMsen^  excefTive,  and  his  behaviour  to  Stella,  an  eternal 
iiigma  on  his  memory  and  his  virtues.  Ever  dabbling 
]n  the  turbid  ocean  of  politics,  what  bufinefs  had  he 
with  the  quiet  and  retired  haven  of  the  church  ?  But 
genius  and  talents  can  embelliih  any  fide  of  a  fubjo£r, 
and  the  biographer  has  poured,  on  his  favourite 
author,  a  deluge  of  panegyric. 

The  lire  of  Garrick  is  fo  much  interfperfed  with  the 
dumeftk  hifbry,  and  the  mo  ft  illuftrious  perfons  of  his 
time,  that  it  will  highly  engage  and  gratify  your  curiofi- 
ty.     It  is  written  by  Davies  in  two  volumes. 
L  2 


124  L  E  TTE  R  S    to   a 

England  has  long  laboured  with  a  diforder,  that  I 
cannot  call  by  a  better  name,  than  the  theatrical  mania. 
A  principal  actor  is  more  diftinguiihed,  carefled  and 
enriched  by  a  luxurious  nation,  than  many  of  the  moft 
deserving  perfons,  in  the  learned  profeflions.  An 
Abingdon,  a  Siddons,  and  a  Mara  (as  once  a  Garrick,  a 
Henderfon  ami  a  Yates)  inchant  the  feelings  of  aBritifh 
audience,  drain  the  money  which  mould  be  facred 
to  better  purpofes  ;  acquire,  in  a  few  years,  an  inde- 
pendent fortune,  and  are  admitted  to  the  flrft  circles  in 
the  kingdom,  whilit  a  thoufand,  amiable  and  merito*. 
rious  clergymen  are  fuffered  to  live  in  want,  and  to  die 
in  the  molt  uncomfortable  obfeurity.  This  is  not  a 
vory  favourable  trait  in  the  moral  hiftory  of  a  nation. 
It  fcems  rather  a  iymptom  of  its  approaching  diflb-* 
luilcn. 

Elurne  \*as  a  great  champion  •  of  infidelity,  and  as 
fctch,  a  character,  that  excites  uncommon  curiofity. 
He  has  written  his  own  life,  and,  as  an  unique  in 
biography,  it  is  worthy  your  reading. 

Ijolingbroke  was  another  of  ihsfceptkal  family.  His 
hiftory  is  agreeably  recorded  by  Dr.  Goldfmith. 

On  the  fubjeft  of  biography,,  you  will  meit  with- 
a  great  variety  of  other,  entertaining  writers  ;  but  I 
mult  not  clofe  this  article,  without  particularly  recom- 
mending a  book,  that  has  given  me  fo  much  pleafure 
and  information,  as  the  life  and  writings  of  Gray,  by 
Air.  Mafon. 

A  particular  friendmip  of  the  warmeft  and  moft  dif*- 
intereiled    kind,    fubfiiled    betwixt    thefe    celebrated. 


YOUNG     LADY..  125 

authors.  It  commenced  in  that  early  period  of  lire, 
when  fouls  are  incapable  of  guile  or  felfiihnefs  an  i 
mutually  expand  ;  and  Mafon  has  endeavoured  to  im- 
mortalize it  in  a  manner,  which  does  equal  credit  \o 
his  heart  and  underftanding. 

The  hiftory  of  a  retired,  literary  perfon,  canno% 
generally,  prefent  much  variety  of  entertainment.  But 
in  the  character  of  Gray,  there  is  fomewhat  very  in- 
ierefling  ;  and  his  friend  has  difplayed  it  to  the  grea'teft 
advantage.  No  man,  perhaps,  by  fuch  flight  (ketches, 
as  the  author  of  an  Elegy  in  a  country  church-yarl 
has  left  behind  him,  ever  acquired  fo  extenlive  a  re- 
putation. And  there  was  a  dignity,  a  foftnefs  and  a 
delicacy  in  his  whole  manner  of  thinking  and  aciirr, 
which  compenfate  for  the  want  of  more  remarkable 
anecdotes,   and  of  more  founding  connexions. 


LIV, 

MY  DEAR  LUCY,  ■ 

11  -Jl  HERE  is  not  (fays  a  fenfible  writer)  a  fon  or 
"  daughter  of  Adam,  who  has  not  fome  concern  in  tie 
"  knowledge  of  Geography."  It  is  nectffary  to  your 
underftanding  the  connexion,  which  this  globe  las 
with  the  other  planetary  fyftem,  an  J  Vuh  all  the  w  >n- 
L3 


ii6  LETTERS   to  a 

derftil  works  of  God.  It  is  indifpenfible  to  your  com- 
prehending hiftory,  or  having  a  proper  idea  of  the 
events  and  tranfaitions  it  relates,  as  well  as  to  divcit 
your  mind  of  little,  narrow  prejudices,  by  giving  5  ou- a 
view  of  the  cuftoms,  manners,  ceremonies  and  infti- 
tutions  of  all  the  different  nations  over  the  world. 

A  celebrated  writer  *  has  called  geography  and  chro- 
nology, the  two  eyes  of  hiftory  ;  the  firit  informs  you 
where  events  happened,  and  the  latter,  at  what  particu- 
lar period  \  if  it  was  not  for  thefe  helps,  your  reading 
would  be  a  confufed  chaos,  without  order,  light  or 
perfpicuity. 

Geography  is,  indeed,  (o  much  attended  to  at  all 
fchools,  that  there  is  little  occafion  to  dwell  on  its  ne- 
ceflit'y ;  if  you  have  learned  the  ufe  of  the  globes,  and 
the  divifion  of  it  by  names,  which  are  onhffmtciid  for 
the  fake  of  reducing  the  immenfity  of  it  to  the  narrow 
feale  of  human  comprehenfion,  the  beft  method,  I 
know,  is,  never  to  read  the  name  of  a  place  in  a  com- 
mon news-paper,' or -any  other  hiftory,  without  imme- 
diately recurring  to  authorities  for  the  fitoation  and 
divifion  of  the  country  in  which  it  lies,  the  manners 
of  the  inhabitants,  their  ceremonies,  civil  government, 
and  religious  inftitutions.  It  is  this  mode  of  rtudying 
from  the  urgency  of  the  occafion,  which  gives  energy 
to  our  refearches,  and  vigour  to  improvement. 

Guthrie  is   one  of  the  heft  authors  in  geography; 
and  for  chronology,  .the  tables  of  Dr.  Prieftlcy  (a  name 


Lord  Chcftcrfi.jld. 


Y  O  U  N  G    LADY,  :i7 

which  I  would  only  mention  where  fcience,  and  not 
religion,  is  concerned)  are  fo  compendious  and  compre- 
henfive,  as  to  afford  you,  on  a  fingle  glance,  confider- 
able  information.     There   is  no  fpecies  of  knowledge, 
that  is   fo  eafily  attained,  as    that  of  geography  ;  nor 
any  of  which  the  want  is  more  flagrant  and  awkward, 
I  lately  blufhed-for  a  young  lady,  who  Was  afked  in 
company,  the  latitude  and   fituation  of   a   particular 
place,   which  happened  to  be  mentioned  in  the  public 
papers  of  the  day.      She  was  dreffed  in  the  higheft 
tafte.     The  roles  and  carnations  vied   in  her  counte- 
nance.    She  piques  herfelf  on  her  lmartnefs  and  viva- 
city ;  but  in  this  inftance,  could  make  no  reply.     Her 
embarraffment  betrayed  her  ignorance,  and  politenefs  re- 
lieved it  by  a  change  of  converfation. 

How  much   higher  would  her  character  have  flood- 
in  thQeftimation  of  all  fenfible  and  difcerning  men,  if 
ihe  had  come  down  flairs,  drefled  in  an  elegant  plain - 
nefs,  and,  inflead  of  flanding  fo  long  before  Her  glafs,- 
had  devoted  fome  little  mare  of  her  time  to  this  fpecies 
of  improvement.     Not  that  I  have  any  objection  to  a 
blufh  upon  a  woman's  cheek.      (  think  the  crimfon  • 
tint  ornamental  ;   but  I   would  have  yours  to  be  the 
blufh  of  delicacy  and  referve,  not  of  ignorance,  Jhynefs  or 
ill-breeding. 


123  LETTERS     to    a 

LETTER      LV. 

MY  DEAR  LUCY, 


N. 


ATURAL  hiitory  is  another  rtudy,  which  I  con- 
ceive to  be  particularly  feminine.  It  has,  of  late,  been 
cultivated  with  uncommon  attention.  Botany  has 
been,  particularly,  fafhionable.  It  has  found  a  place 
in  the  amufements  of  the  elegant,  as  well  as  the  learn- 
ed. Nothing  is  more  calculated  to  amufe  the  mind, 
improve  the  health  and  fpirits,  and  to  infpire  at  once 
checrfulnefs  2nd  devotion. 

The  furptfzing  hiftory  of  plants  and  flowers,  the 
immenfe  variety,  the  mechanifm,  order,  government 
and  economy  of  animals,  fowls  with  their  plumage, 
and  fiflies  with  their  fcales,  foflils,  minerals,  petrefacti- 
ens,  mountains,  vallies,  volcanos,  all  nature  full  of  life, 
full  of  hsppinefs,  and  full  of  miracles,  will  crowd  your 
mind  with  the  fubhmeit  images,  and  teach  you  to  a- 
dore  the  great,  Almighty  Former  and  Prefcrverof  the 
world.  What  beauty  in  each  flower  !  What  tiaits  of 
divine  wifdom  and  goodnefs  in  an  infe&  !  Surveyed 
with  a  truly  philofophical  eye,  the  whole  creation  is  a 
temple  !  Not  a  thrub,  but  is  eloquent,  not  an  animal- 
cule, but  is  a  powerful  monitor  of  virtue  ! 

I  never  fpend  an  afternoon  with  Mifs  Louifa -, 

without  being  both  initrucled  and  delighted.     I  never  ' 
take  a  walk  with  her  in  the  garden,  but  flic  unfolds  a 


YOUNG      LADY.  129 

thoufanc1,  natural  curiofities,  which  had  hitherto  efca- 
ped  my  unfcienced  or  inattentive  eyes.  I  never  ram- 
ble with  her  into  the  fields,  but  Hie  gives  me  fuch  an 
hiftory  of  the  moft  common  plants  and  flowers,  as  at 
once  furprizes  my  curiofity,  and  gratifies  my  tafte.  In 
her  clofet,  (he  has  a  large  collection  of  infects,  which 
her  microfcope  clothes  with  moft  exquifite  beauty, 
and  a  mufeum,  filled  with  (hells,  corals,  and  petrefacli- 
ons,  the  fparkling.of  which  is  exceeded  by  nothing, 
but  the  vivacity  of  her  eyes,  or  the  ftronger  or  more 
permanent  luftre  of  her  virtues. 

I  would  infinitely  rather  have  her  tafte,  than  her  for- 
tune. And  I  never  quit  her,  without  fecretly  envying 
her  enjoyments.  She  is  ever  fprightly,  becaufe  (he  has 
never  a  moment  unemployed.  She  always//////,^,  becaufe 
die  is  always  innocent.  Her  pleafures  are  of  the  ra- 
tional and  refined  kind.  They  never  leave  a  thorn  in 
the  heart,  or  pluck  one  blufhing  rofe  from  her  cheeks. 
How  folid  and  how  calm,  if  compared  with  the  mid- 
night revels  of  fafhion,  or  the  giddinefs  of  admiration  ! 

Be  like  Louifa,  my  dear  girl,  and 'you  wilt  always  be 
happy.  Study  nature,  till  it  leads  you  up  to  nature's 
God.  Pour  on  plants  and  foyers,  till  they  perfume 
you  with  a  real  devotion  ;  and  I  will  engage  you  to 
become,  in  your  turn,  one  of  the  moft  beautiful  flow- 
ers in  the  creation. 


i3o  LETTERS   to   a 

LETTER      LVI. 

J^  ATURAL  hiftory  is  divided  into  three  grand 
parts,  as  it  refpe&s  the  animal,  the  mineral,  and  the  ve- 
getable kingdoms,  and  under  thefe  different  articles, 
aflumes  the  name  of  zoology,  or  an  hiftory  of  animals  ; 
lithology,  or  a  defcription  of  ftones,  foflils,  &c.  and  bo- 
tany, or  an  account  of  herbs,  plants,  flowers.  Thefe 
again,  have,  each,  their  refpeclive  fubdivifions. 

Linnaeus,  who  was  born  at  Upfal,  is  the  great  father 
of  this  feience,  and,  from  the  Swedifh  fchools,  have 
iflued  the  works  of  the  moft  eminent  mafters.  But 
he  i3  too  voluminous  and  Scientific  for  a  female,  who 
Wants  only  a  general  knowledge  of  nature,  and  not  to 
penetrate  the  minutiae  of  her  plan. 

The  Ameenltates  Academic*  are  a  number  of  ingenious 
e  flays  on  a  variety  of  fubjedls,  felecled  from  the  works 
of  the  moft  capital  difciples  of  the  Linncean  fchool. 
Some  of  thefe  have  been  translated  by  Stillingfleer,  un- 
der the  name  of  Traces  on  Natural  Hiftory,  and  are 
very  valuable  and  inftrucYive  ;  others  by  Brand,  in  two 
volumes,  which  contain  a  number  of  very  curious 
and  entertaining  defcriptions. 

Pulteney's  View  of  the  Works  of  Linnaeus,  you 
may  read,  likewife,  with  great  pleafure  and  improve- 
ment. Next  to  thefe,  I  (hould  recommend  to  a  mere 
Englifh  reader,  the  works  of  Ray  :  him,  who  wrote 
"The  wifdom  of  God  in  the  creation."     They  are 


YOUNG     LADY.  I3I 

highly  ufeful  and  valuable,  though  written  before  this 
ftudy  had  arrived  to  its  prefent  (late  of  perfection. 

Goldfmith's  Hiftory  of  the  Earth,  and  Animated 
Nature,  is  but  a  mere  compilation.  Still  it  may  have 
its  ufe,  as  affording  fome  collateral  lights  and  inftr.uc- 
tion. 

Buffon  is  an  author  of  firft  rate  abilities.  His  ftyle 
is  fplendid  ;  his  knowledge  is  extenfive,  and  his  elo- 
quence, in  a  high  degree,  brilliant  and  feducing.  But 
I  cannot  recommend  him  for  many  reafons.  He  is 
too  voluminous  \  the  extenfivenefs  of  his  plan  leads  him 
into  a  great  variety  of  detail,  and  of  indelicate  defcrip- 
tions.  He  is  more  attached  to  fyftems  of  his  own, 
than  the  difcovery  of  truth  ;  and  he  is  a  fort  oifcepticy 
who  refolves  every  thing  into  a  chain  of  fecondary 
caufes,  and  facrilegioujly  excludes  the  Deity  from  his 
creation.  This  temper  is  the  bane  of  modem  philofo- 
phers.  They  endeavour  to  account  for  every  thing 
upon  natural  principles,  and  wherever  they  are  puzzJed, 
ridiculoufly  difbelieve.  Inftead  of  making  their  know- 
ledge a  fcaffolding  to  God,  they  build  on  it  a  monu- 
ment to  their  own  vanity  and  folly,  which  will  not 
ftand,  "  when  winds  and  ftorms  arife."  Do  people 
of  fuch  diftinguifhed  abilities,  n-eed  to  be  reminded, 
that  a  world  without  defign,  or  an  active  machine> 
without  ayfr/?,  moving  principle,  involves  the  greater!: 
and  moft  palpable  of  contradictions  ?  Nature,  in  the 
hands  of  a  true  philofopher,  reads  a  continual  leftbn  of 
piety  ;  in  thofe  of  a  falfe  one,  it  is  the  parent  of  fcep- 
ticifm,  gloom  and  defpair.     Sir  lfaac  Newton  was  the 


IS2 


LETTERS     to   a 


moft  pious  of  men  j  many  of  his  humble  followers  have 
been  as  impious  retailers  of  infidelity. 

You  will  derive  great  pleafure  and  improvement 
from  all  the  writings  of  Mr.  Pennant,  and  they  are 
numerous.  Always  lively,  and  always  authentic,  they 
entertain  the  man  of  tafte,  thefcholar,  and  the  anti- 
quarian, as  well  as  the  naturalift.  Few  perfons  have 
juj'olimed  fo  much,  in  any  one  department  of  fcience, 
with  fo  great  fuccefs. 

The  Flora  Londinenfis  of  Curtis,  is  a  fplendid 
work,  that  does  credit  to  the  author.  It  is  embellimed 
with  beautiful  engravings  of  all  the  common  plants 
and  flowers  of  this  country,  and  is  ftill  in  continua- 
tion. 

Volcanos  are  among- the prodigies  of  nature,  which 
fill  the  minti  with  the  grandeit  and  fublimeft  images. 
Hamilton's  account  of  them,  and  Rafpe  on  the  vol- 
canos in  Germany,  will  aitonifh  your  imagination. — 
Yqu  may  add  to  the  lift  Swammerdam's  Hiitory  of 
Infects,  tranflated  by  Floyd,  and  revifed  by  Dr.  Hill. 

But  I  will.defift,  for  if  1  was  to  give  you  only  the 
i:m:eiof  writers  on  the  fubjecr,  they  would  fill  a  vo- 
lume. No  private  fortune  would  be  fufficient  to  pur- 
chafe  them,  and  the  perufal  would  require  more  time 
than  would  confilt  with  your  other  various  engage- 
ments. 


J'OUNG     LADY.  133 

LETTER      LVIL 

V*  HEN  you  have  viewed  the  wonders  of  nafclfc  fa 

minature,  aftronomy  will  (hew  them  in  the  foMimc. 
Telefcopes  will  prefent  you  with  a  moft  ftupendous 
view  of  the  heavens;  funs,  piled  on  funs;  worlds, 
on  worlds  ;  and  the  great  Creator,  prefuling  over  all, 
in  the  majefty  of  perfection.  You  will  be  loft  and  ab- 
firbed  in  the  magnificent  contemplation.  You  will 
feel  yourfelf  as  nothing  before  God,  and  confefs  him 
to  be  All  in  AIL 

A  real  aftronomcr  muft  be  pious,  or  infenfibje. 
However  fome  have  thought  revelation  partial,  the 
language  of  thefe  orbs  is  certainly  univerfaly  tL  Their 
^  found  is  gone  out  into  all  lands,  and  their  words 
*'  unto  the  ends  of  the  world."  The  fentiment  they 
proclaim,  is,  majefty  to  God  ;  to  man,  humility,  felf- 
abafement,  devotion. 

Nicholfon's  Introduction  to  Natural  Philofophy,  in 
two  volumes,  oclavo,  is  an  excellent  book  upon  this 
fubje£t,  and  JDerham's.  Aftro-theology  muft  elevate 
the  mind,  .  and  improve  the  heart  of  every  reader. 
Gregory's  Aftronomy,  and  Huygen's  Celeftial  Worlds 
difcovered,  are  very  ufeful  and  entertaining.,  and  may 
together  form  a  fufficient  library  for  this  department 
offcience.  Perhaps  I  mould  have  added  Ray's  Wif- 
<dom  of  God,    in  the  Creation.     They,  who  declaim 

M 


134  LETTERS    to    a 

againft  knowledge,  in  a  woman,  have  not  furely  con- 
fidered  how  much  this  and  many  other  branches  of 
it,  arc  connected  with  all  the  fublime  and  pious  affec- 
tions. 


LETTER       LVIIL 


p 


OETRY,  I  do  not  wifli  you  to  cultivate,  further 
than  to  pcfTefs  a  relljh  for  its  beauties.  Verfes,  if  not 
excellent,  are  execrable  indeed.  The  mufes  live  upon 
a  mount)  and  there  is  no  enjoying  any  of- their  favours, 
linlefs  you  can  climb  to  the  heights  of  ParnafTus. 

Befides,  a  paflion  for  poetry  is  dangerous  to  a  woman. 
It  heightens  her  natural  fenfibility  to  an  extravagant 
degree,  and  frequently  infpires  fuch  a  romantic  turn  of 
mind,  as  is  utterly  inconfiftent  with  all  the  folid  duties 
and  proprieties  of  life. 

To  increafe  the  number  of  imaginary ',  when  life  a- 
bounds  with  fucH"  real  forrows,  by  nurfmg  a  fickly  ex- 
travagant fenfibility,  is,  in  a  rational  creature,  the  very 
height  of  imprudence.  The  ancients  endeavoured  to 
cherifh  fortitude  and  refolution,  by  giving  ftrength  to 
the  body  and  vigour  to  the  mind.  From  fome  of  their 
ftates,  poetry,  among  other  things,  was  abfolutely  ex- 
cluded, as  tending  to  enervate  the  minds  of  a  people? 
and  unfit  them  for  the  ftruggles  and  adlivkies  of  life  i 


YOUNG      LADY.  j35 

and  it  is  certain,  that  the  owners  of  an  exquifitc  falli- 
bility, for  a  few  moments  of  pleafure,  have  ('ays  of  vex- 
ation. In  this  human  wildernefs,  thorns  arc  perenni- 
als.    Kcfcs  are  but  the  perijlmble  ornament  of  fummer. 

The  late  Mr.  Shenftone,  among  many  others,  is  an 
unhappy  inftance  of  the  misfortune  I  have  mention- 
ed. His  works,  though  not  of  the  fir/}  magnitude,  are 
exceedingly  agreeable  ;  but  his  poetical  enthufiafm,  was 
a  fource  of  perpetual  irritation  and  misfortune.  Hav- 
ing cultivated  his  tafte,  more  than  his  prudence,  his  feel- 
ings, more  than  his  fortitude,  and  his  imagination, 
more  than  his  judgment,  his  life  was  one,  unvaried 
train  of  inquietudes.  His  mind  was  ruffled  with  it/UT- 
ginary  injuries ;  his  peace  difturbed  with  fanciful  af- 
fronts, and  his  difordered  finances  left  him  every  thing 
but  comfort,  dignity,  and  independence. 

With  a  fortune,  that  only  juftified  a  neat  and  homely 
dwelling,  his  genius  was  not  content  withlefs  than  the 
fuperb  appendages  of  a  palace.  In  forming  the  Leafe- 
owes^  he  facrificed  to  enthufiafm,  what  he  owed  to  con- 
tentment. He  panted  for  a  faradife,  and  a  paradife  he 
had  ;  but  it  loon  became  a  wildernefs  of  thorns.  Mer- 
eilefs  creditors  had  no  candor  for  the  poet,  and  made 
no  allowance  for  the  exquifitenefs  of  his  tafte. 

They  faw  no  charms  in  fhrubs,   in  blodbms,   or  in 

profpecls,  and  they  awok.e  him  with  an  iron  grafp,  from 

his  delicious  intrancement  :  Whilil  a  noble  neighbour, 

emulating  and  outvying,  on  a  larger  fcale,  the  beauties 

M2 


136  LETTERS    tj  a^ 

of  his  elyfium,  or  exhibiting  it  to  a  ftranger,  from  an 
unfavourable  point  of  view,  infixed  on  his  fickly  feel- 
ings, an  heart-felt  affiidlion,  which  he  had  neither  the 
pofftbility  of  avoiding,  nor  the  philofophy  to  fupport. 


LETTER      LIX. 

X  HOUGH  I  do  not  wifh  you  to  become  a  poet,  it 
is,  however,  neceffary,  that  you  fhould  not  be  wholly 
unacquainted  with  the  writings  of  many,  inimitable 
bards,  They  will  certainly  refine  your  tafte,  and 
fpread  a  very  elegant  repaft  for  your  private  amufe- 
ment. 

Shakefpeare  is,  perhaps,  the  flrft  genius  of  the  world  ; 
and  fome  of  his  dramatic  works,  while  they  aftonifb, 
will  give  you  an  ufeful  fund  of  hiftorical  information. 

The  immortal  poem  of  Paradife  Lolt,  fhould  not 
only  be  in  the  hands,  but  graven  on  the  heart,  of  every 
woman,  becaufe  Milton,  above  all  other  authors,  def- 
cribes  the  diftinguifhing  graces  of  the  fex,  and  in  his 
Ere,  has  exhibited  an  exquifite  pattern  of  female  per- 
fection. On  this  fubject,  his  feelings  were  always  a- 
wakened  in  an  extraordinary  manner;  his  imagination 
glowed,  and  he  has  given  it  the  fineft  touches  of  his 
;  snciL 


YOUNG     LADY.  137 


Milton,  like  all  great  men,  was  fully  fenfible  of  ths 
bleflings  w«  derive  from  the  fociety  of  women,  an  I 
how  cbeerlefs  the  face  of  nature  would  have  been,  with- 
out them.  He,  therefore,  labours  to  make  the  mother 
of  his  Paradife  every  thing  that  could  charm,  and  eve- 
ry thing  that  could  alleviate  the  infelicities  of  life.  Lt  t 
the  libertine  read  his  description  of  marriage,  and  tell 
me  what  he  thinks  of  the  prevailing  rage  for  impurity 
and  fedu&ion. 

Homer  is  univerfally  celebrated  5  and,  though  you 
cannot  read  his  poem  in  the  original  language,  Pope 
lias  given  an  admirable  translation.  The  fame  may 
be  faid  of  Dryden's  Virgif,  if  you  wifh  to  talle  the 
excjuifite  richnefs  of  thefe  ancient  authn* 
•  Mafon's  poems  have  great  merit,  r.nd  hare  acquired 
him  a  confider"able  celebrity.  His  Caraclacus,  his 
Elfr'ida,  and  his  ErigHfh  Garden  have  afl  been  admi- 
red. Nothing,  however,  from  his  pen,  has  pleafed  me 
more  than  the  'epitaph  upon  his  lady.  His  talents 
feem  to  be  particularly  formed  for  the  penfive  and  pa- 
thetic But  poetry,  after  all,  is  but  an  einbellifhment^ 
and,  in  the  character  of  a  divine^  a-vcry  fecondsry  dis- 
tinction. How  much  more  important  and  ufeful  to 
mankind,  are  the  labours  of  that  paftor,  who,  by  one 
judicious,  impaffioned  and  well-dire<Sted  difcoune,  ap- 
pals the  finner,  encourages  the  faint,  revives  the  droop- 
ing, guides  the  perplexed,  or  condefcends  to  cheer  the 
bed  of  ficknefs  with  divine  confolations  ! 

This  remark,  however,  is  not  particularly  intended 
to  depreciate  the  ingenious  author  of  Caraclacus.    He 
is  faid  to.  excel,  likewife,  as  a  preacher. 
M3 


*3*  L  ETTtRS 


TO 


LETTER      LX. 


i 


N  poetry,  the  ladies  have,  of  late,  afTcrted  their 
claim  to  genius,  and  the  trampled  honors  of  their  un- 
derftanding.  Several  of  them  appear,  in  the  walks  of 
Parnafius,  with  confiderable  luftre. 

Mifs  Seward,  in  my  idea,  is  a  ftar  of  the  firft  mag- 
nitude in  the  hemifphere  of  imagination.  She  h2s  gi- 
ven us,  chiefly,  little,  fugitive  pieces ;  a  monody  on 
the  death  of  captain  Cook,  and  major  Andre  ;  a  poem 
to  the  memory  of  lady  Miller,  and  a  few  ftanzas  to 
Mr.  Wright,  on  taking  her  father's  picture.  1  helaft 
always  gave  me  the  higheft  pleafure.  It  required,  in- 
deed, no  great  effort,  but  is  a  mod  plealing  fpecimen  of 
filial  affection,  and  of  a  rich,  fervid,  glowing  imagina- 
tion. Her  Louifa,  though  her  largeft,  is  not,  in  my 
idea,  her  happieji  performance.  A  novel  is  too  much 
dignified  by  the  charms  of  poetry.  It  is  a  courteian, 
drciTed  like  a  queen. 

Whenever  Mifs  Hannah  More  takes  up  her  pen, 
fhe  never  lofes  fight  of  piety  and  virtue.  Her  Bleed- 
ing Rock,  Search  after  Happinefs,  Sir  Eldred  of  the 
Bower,  Sacred  Dramas,  Female  Fables,  &C  will  pleafe 
and  inftruct  you.  The  little  tra£t,  lately  publifhed, 
entitled,  "  Thoughts  on  the  Manners  of  the  Great/' 
which  has  had  (o  very  extenfive  a  circulation,  is  faid 
to  have  come  from  her  ingenious  pen.  The  defign  is 
excellent,  and  the  execution  difplays   a  coniiderable 


YOUNG      LADY.  139 

knowledge  of  human  life  and  manners.  I  wifh  it  may 
leave  fomc  lading  impreflions.  But,  alas  !  the  difLpa- 
ted  have  few  intervals  for  reflection. 

Mifs  Williams  bids  fair  for  a  poetic  laurel,  that  (hall 
long  be  green.  Ker  Peru  is  a  work  of  considerable 
merit. 

The  little  fonnets  of  Mifs  Charlotte  Smith,  arefofr, 
penfive,  fentimental  and  pathetic,  as  a  woman's  pro- 
ductions mould  be.  The  mufes,  if  [  miftake  not, 
will,  in  time,  raife  her  to  a  confiderable  eminence. — 
She  has,  as  iw,  ftepped  forth  only  in  little  things,  with 
a  diffidence  that  is  charadteriftic  of  real  genius  in  its 
firji  attempts.  Her  next,  public  entre,  may  be  more 
in  ftyle,  and  more  confequential. 

The  Comtefle  le  Genlis,  I  have  before  mentioned, 
as  a  woman  of  a  fine  tafte,  and  a  cultivated  under- 
standing; Her  Theatre  fur  /' Education,  as  founded  on 
a  dramatic  plan,  may  be  recommended  among  other 
poetical  productions.  There  is  not  a  fweeter  rofe  in 
the  garden  of  nature,  than  her's  of  Salency. 

Lord  Lyttleton  was  not,  by  any  means,  a  capital 
poet.  There  is,  however,  fuch  a  delicacy,  foftnefs, 
piety,  and  tender  pathos  in  his  drains,  as  do  the  high- 
eft  credit  to  his  <?wrc  heart,  and  muft  improve  that  of 
every  attentive  reader.  His  monody  upon  his  Lucy, 
has  immortalized  his  fenfibility,  his  arfedion,  and  his 
virtue. 

Akenfide's  work  on  the  Pleafures  of  Imagination, 
needs  no  other  recommendation,  than  what  it  has  re- 
ceived from  a  generous  and  a  diicerning  public.     It  is 


14-0  LETTERS    to  a 

highly  interefting;  it  required  a  very  confiderablc  ef- 
fort, and  his  genius  has  rendered  it  beautifully  pi&ur- 
efque. 

Cowper's  poems  are  calculated  to  do  confiderable 
fervice.  He  has  made  the  mufes  hand-maids  to  reli- 
gion. He  has  chofen  verfes,  only  as  a  vehicle  for  con- 
veying inftru&ions  of  fo  important  a  nature,  as  would 
not,  by  any  means,  have  difhonored  the  pulpit.  His 
ftyle  is  fimple,  bold,  manly,  fpirited,  and  energetic; 
his  judgment,  ftrong  and  penetrating  ;  his  metaphors, 
forcible  and  happily  conceived  ;  his  obfervations  on 
life  and  manners,  accurate,  and  his  fatire,  juft  and' 
poignant. 

He  does  not  feem  Co  much  to  have  ftudied  the  r- 
ddclion  of  a  poem,  with  unity  for  its  deflgn,  and  har- 
mony in  all  its  parts,  as  to  ferve  thecaufe  of  piety  and: 
virtue,  by  general,  defultory  and  impaflloned  reflexions. 
His  work,  on  the  whole,  is  a  ftrong  fpecimen  of  geni- 
us and  talents  ;  rigid -criticifm,  perhaps,  would  fay, 
that  his  piety  wants  a  little  mildnefs,  and  feems'to 
breathe  the  fpirit  of  a  party. 

But  the  moll  finifhed  poet  of  the  age";  is  Hay  ley. —  "• 
His  EiTay  on  Hiftory,  and  on  Epic  Poetry,  his  Ode  to 
Howard,  and  his  Triumphs  of  Temper,  have  received  * 
very  great  and  very  general  applaufe. 


Y  O  U  N  G      LA  D  Y.  rt** 

L '  fc    T    T    E    R      LXf. 


Y- 


OUR  queftion  is  a  very  proper  one,  and  I  will 
give  you  the  beft  fatisfaclion  in  my  power. 

Pronunciation,  or  that  part  of  grammar,  called  Or- 
thoepy, as  to  any  uncommon  or  difficult  words,  is  go- 
verned by  the  quantity,  which  thofe  words  have  in  the 
original  language,  from  which  they  are  derived.  As 
you  cannot  be  fuppo'fed  fo  understand  the  dead  lan- 
guages, you  will  of  courfe,  frequently,  be  at  a  lofs  how 
to  pronounce  many  words  with  propriety.  The  only 
method  is,  recouife  to  a  dictionary,  and  the  "beft,  in  my 
opinion,  are  thofe  of  Sheridan  and  Johnfon.  Pro- 
nunciation, however,  is  very  fluctuating; — and  though 
there  certainly  is  a  ftandard  of  propriety,  ever 
which  mere  fafnion  ought  to  have  no  power,  yet,  I 
ftiould  always  recommend  a  conformity  to  the  manner 
of  the  politeft  people  you  may  happen  to  converfe 
with,  rather  than  a  pedantic  affectation  of  grammati- 
cal ftriclnefs-.  The  latter  would  be  thought  a  'conceited 
oftentation  of  knowledge,  which,  in  a  young  lady, 
would  not  be  forgiven. 

The  allufions  to  Jupiter,  Pallas,  Venus,  the  Graces, 
the  Mufes,  Helicon,  ParnaiTus,  which  have-To  much 
puzzled  you  in  the  poets  ^ou  have  lately  read,  will  be 
fully  explained  in  Tooke's  Pantheon,  or  niftoryof  the 
Heathen  Gods.  The  general  fadtis,  that  before  the 
knowledge  of  the  true  God  dawned  on  their  minds. 


142  LE  T  TE  R  S     to  a 

thefe  poor,  ignorant  heathens,  never  dreamed  of  one 
omnipotent,  all-fufficient,  all-pervading  fpirit,  which 
the  fcriptures  have  revealed,  and  defcribed,  as  poffefled 
of  all  pcfTible  perfections.  They,  therefore,  formed 
to  themfelves  a  multiplicity  of  gods,  and  attributed  to 
one  of  them  in  particular,  with   :  V  name,  every 

great  quality  or  fuperior  excellence,  that  appeared  be- 
yond the  ability  of  mortah.  Thefe  deities  they  ar- 
ranged into  different  clafles,  according  to  their  fuppo- 
fed  degrees  of  pre-eminence  ;  and  fancied  fome  of 
them  to  inhabit  the  heavens,  and  others,  the  woods, 
groves,  rivers,  fprings,  mountains,  &c. 

You  will  be  amufed  with  their  fanciful  opinions; 
and,  if  you  think  aright,  you  will  learn  to  blefs  the 
Almighty,  on  your  knees,  for  having  caft  your  lot  in  an 
age  and  country,  where  the  gofpel  has  difperfed  thefe 
milts  and  errors,  dignified  our  views  and  nature  be- 
yond all  expreflion,  and  given  us  the  cleared  know- 
ledge of  our  duty.  You  will  feel  the  force  and  pro- 
priety of  that  claufe  in  our  liturgy,  "  We  blefs  thee 
"  for  our  creation,  prefervation,  and  all  the  blefTings  of 
"  this  life  ;  but  above  all,  for  thine  ineftimable  love  in 
"  the  redemption  of  the  world  by  our  Lord  Jefus 
"  Chrift,  for  the  means  of  grace,  and  for  the  hope  of 
"glory." 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  X43 


LETTER       LXU. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 


A 


LITTLE  tafte  for  the  fine  arts  of  painting, 
fculpture,  archite£ture,  will  be  of  fingular  ufe.  It  will 
render  every  excurfion  you  make,  and  every  curiofity 
you  behold,  exceedingly  delightful,  and  enable  you  to 
become  entertaining  to  all  with  whom  you  converfe. 

A  perfon  thus  accomplished,  furveys  an  elegant  pile 
of  building,  thedefigns  of  a  Palladio,  the  landfcapesof 
a  Claude  Lorrain,  the  portraits  of  a  Titian,  cr  the 
transfiguration  of  a  Raphael,  with  uncommoa  rapture, 
and  can  entertain  herfelf,  for  hours,  with  a  ruin  or  a 
caftle,  in  which  the  unfkilful  can  fee  nothing  but  de- 
formity, or  the  corrofions  of  time. 

Writers  on  Sculpture  and  Architecture,  are  not  nu- 
merous, and  I  am  wading  beyond  my  depth,  when  I 
attempt  to  recommend  them.  Winkleman's  reflex- 
ions on  the  fculpture  of  the  Greeks,  Evelyn's  Parallel 
of  ancient  and  modern  Architecture,  and  Morris'  Lec- 
tures may  give  youfomc  ideas  on  the  fubjecT:. 

On  the  art  of  painting,  more  has  been  written  ;  yet 
without  a  natural  genius  for  it,  and  fome  previous  in- 
ftrucYions  from  a  majhr,  I  do  not  know,  whether  you 
will  be  able  to  make  any  great  proficiency. 

Webb's  Enquiry  into  the  Beauties  of  iainting,  is  a 
very  learned,  elegant,  ingenious  work,  and  interesting, 


244  LETTERS- to    a 

in  an  high  degree,  even  to  thofe,  who  are,  by  no  means, 
to  be  ranked  among  the  cogncfcenti.  The  .quotations 
from  Homer,  Virgil,  Shakefpeare,  Milton,  Boileau, 
Moliere,  Racine,  TafTo,  Arioito  and  Metaftafio,  are 
rot  only  well  contrived  to  iUuftrate,  the  fubjec"t,  but:  to 
delight  every  perfon  of  reading  and  tafte  ;  whilft  the 
picturefque  imagery  and  fplcndid  language  would  ftamp 
a  value  on  any  production. 

I  remember  to  have  been  charmed,  fome  years  ago, 
with  reading  a  nnall  work,  entitled  "  Efiay  on  Prints 
and  Piiiurefque  Beauty."  I  do  not  recollect,  whether 
it  bore  the  name  of  any  author;  but  it  (truck  me  as  a 
very  interefting  and  valuable  performance.  Genius 
and-know  ledge  were  wonderfully  .united,  and  embel- 
Jifhed  the  whole. 

Fergufon's  Art  of  Drawing  in  PerfpeeUve,  I  con- 
ceive to  be  ufeful,  as  an  elementary  work.  An  ElTay 
on  Landfcape,  may  be  confidered  in  the  fame  light ; 
and  you  will  be  inftrufted  and  delighted,  at  the  fame 
time,  with  Hayley's  two  epiftles  to  Romney,  and  Fref- 
noy's  Art  of  Painting,  tranflated  by  Mafon.  This  laft 
mentioned  author,  is  faid  to  excel  in  the  three  fifter 
arts  of  painting,  poetry  and  mu4k.  In  the  two  firft, 
he  has  given  the  w$rA/fpecimens  of  his  fkill  j  with  the 
latter,  hc'is  faid  frequently  to  entertain  the  circle  of  his 
private  friends. 

iiut  the  beft  place  for  gratifying  your  curiofity,  and, 
I  fhould  think,  for  improving  your  tafte  in  paintings, 
is  the  annual  exhibition  of  them,  at  Somerfet-houfe. 
7"he  metropolis,  amidit  all  its  variety  of  invention, 


YOUNG    LADY. 


H5 


xloes  not  furnifh,  in  my  idea,  a  more  elegant,  or  a  more 
improving  amufement.  We  fee,  with  pride,  fome  ar- 
tifts  of  our  own  country,  vying  with  the  mod  celebra- 
ted mafters  of  antiquity.  Under  the  hands  of  a  Rey- 
nolds, a  Wright,  a  Weft,  and  many  others,  the  Englifli 
canvafs  glows  with  inimitable  beauty.  A  Raphael,  a 
Titian,  a  Correggio,  a  Rubens,  a  Pouflin,  or  a  Salvator 
Rofa  feem,  in  fome  degree,  transplanted  to  the  Britifh 
ifle. 

A  ftranger,  indeed,  is,  at  firft  fight,  fo  much  dazzled 
with  the  fplendor  and  elegance  of  the  company  about 
him,  that,  in  the  charms  of  living  beauty,  he  is  tempted 
Xo  overlook,  the  efforts  of  the  pencil.  In  no  other 
place,  that  I  ever  faw  or  recollect,  do  art  and  nature  fo 
powerfully  combine  to  bewitch  the  fenfes,  and  capti- 
vate the  imagination. 

If  my  time  and  place  of  refidence,  were  at  my  own 
command,  I  fhould  frequently,  in  the  feafon,  devote 
to  this  pleafure,  one  of  thofe  languid,  afternoon  hours, 
when  the  fpirits  are  exhaufted  with  the  employments 
ot  the  morning,  and  want  renewed  vigour,  elasticity 
and  animation. 

I  am  much  interefled,  believe  me,  in  the  reliih  I 
would  give  you  for  this  fpecies  of  improvement.  I 
look  forward,  with  a  degree  of  pleafure,  to  the  time, 
when  I  may  be  the  companion  of  your  little  tours,  and 
delighted  with  your  obfervations  ;  when  we  may  hang 
in  curiofity,  over  folfils  and  petrefa&ions ;  when  we 
fhall  pore  over  paintings,  buildings,  ruins,  with  all  the 

N 


146  LETTERS   to  a 

luxury  of  artifts,  and  in  fuch  rational,  innocent  plea- 
sures, endeavour  to  forget  the  forrows,  that  will  cro.wd 
ononis  variegated  Y\te. 


LETTER      LXIII. 


1 


T  is  fo  very  agreeable  to  perufe  voyages  and  travels 
into  foreign  countries,  by  way  of  coming  eafily  at  a 
knowledge  of  their  hiftory,  cuftoms,  ceremonies  and 
degrees  of  civilization,  that  I  do  not  wonder  at  the 
number  and  multiplicity  of  thefe  productions.  Au- 
thors wifh  to  be  ready  and  this  is  the  fort  of  work,  which, 
if  judicioufly  executed,  fuits  every  tafte.  It  has  a  ten- 
dency to  enlarge  the  mind,  and  divert  it  of  illiberal 
prejudices.  Books  of  this  kind,  are  now  become  fo 
numerous,  that  the  difficulty  only  is,  how  to  make  the 
feleftion. 

I  will  begin  with  Moore,  for  he  has  pleafed  uwiver- 
fally.  Your  collection  will  be  graced  by  his  View  of 
Society  and  Manners  in  France,  Switzerland,  and 
Germany,  in  two  volumes,  and  his  View  of  Society 
in  Italy,  ia  two  more., 

Wraxall  is  another  writer  in  this  way,  who  has 
fuperior  merit.  He  has  publifhed  a  tour  through  the 
northern  parts  of  Europe,  and  through  France. 


YOUNG     LADY,  147 

Penant  has  been  Angularly  happy  in  all  his  attempts. 
He  interefts  the  antiquarian,  the  fcholar  and  the  man 
of  genius  in  his  various  produ&ions.  His  works  are 
numerous.  A  Tour  through  Scotland,  Voyages  to 
the  Hebrides,  a  Tour  in  North  Wales  ;  a  Journey  to 
Snowdon  ;  and  Journey  from  Chefter  to  London,  &c. 

Switzerland  is  one  of  thofe  romantic  countriesj  that 
delights  us  in  idea.  Coxe  has  given  fketches  of  *u,  id 
a  very  pleafing  and  piclurefque  manner. 

Sherlock's  Englifh  Traveller  is  a  very  original  and 
entertaining  book.  The  author  is  evidently  a  man  of 
fancy  and  genius,  but  rather  fulfome  in  his  panegy- 
rics on  particular  characters,  and  excentric  both  in  his 
fentiments  and  manner.  He  will,  fometimes,  make 
you  fmile  with  egotifms,  and  the  appearance  of  con- 
ceit 3  but  he  will,  Jikewife,  enlighten  your  understand- 
ing. 

Cordiner's  Antiquities  and  Scenery  of  the  North  of 
Scotland,  is  an  entertaining  work.  The  plates  annex- 
ed to  ir,  pleafe  the  eye,  and  invigorate  the  imagination. 

A  tour  to  the  lakes  is  become  very  fafhionable,  and 
is  faid  abundantly  to  repay  the  traveller's  cuViofity. 
Weft's  defcription  of  them  may  be  ufeful,  though  the 
language  appears  too  florid  and  poetical. 

The  Tour  to  Ermenonville  I  have  never  feen  -,  but 
it  is  mentioned  as  pofTenjng  confderable  merit.  Gil- 
pin's Defcription  of  the  River  Wye  abounds  with 
beautiful  fcenery,  and  is  a  melt  lively  and  enteitaining 
preclusion. 

N2 


J4S  LETTERS   to  a 

But  the  catalogue  would  be  endlefs.  A  thoufand 
other  books  of  this  kind,  are  at  hand,  whenever  you 
are  difpofed  to  travel  with  them  in  your  clofet. 

If  you  have  a  little  knowledge  of  Heraldry,  it  will 
be  an  embellijhment  ;  an  agreeable  exercife  of  your  tafte 
and  ingenuity,  and  may,  oceafionally,  fuggeft  a  chan- 
nel, through  which  you  may  ferve  a  valuable  friend. 
The  only  books  I  recollect,  are  the  Elements  of  it,  by 
Porney ;  Gwillim,  a  large  folio,  and  Edmondfon's 
Complete  Body  of  it,  in  two  volumes. 

But  after  all  this  recommendation  of  different  flu- 
dies,  do  not  miftake  me.  I  do  not  want  to  make  you 
a  fine  writer,  an  hiftorian,  a  naturalift,  a  geographer, .an 
aiironomer,  a  poet,,  a  painter,  a  connoiffeur,  or  avirtu- 
ofo  of  any  kind.  But  I  would  have  you  to  poffefs 
V^dva.  general  knowledge,  as  will  ufefully  and  inno- 
cently fill  up  your  leifure  hours,  raife  your  tafte  above 
fantaftic  levities,  render  you  an  agreeable  friend  and  ac- 
quaintance, qualify  you  for  the  folid  duties  of  your 
ftation,  whatever  they  may  be,  and  elevate,  above  all, 
your  foul  to  him,  who  is  the  fource  of  all  knowledge, 
greatnefs  and  perfection. 


LETTER      LXIV. 


HE  accomplishments  of  a  woman,  may  be  com- 
prized under  fome,  or  all  of  the  following  articles  i 


YOUNG      LADY.  149 

needle- work,  embroidery,  &c.    drawing,  muuc,  dan- 
cing, drefs,  politenefs,  &c. 

To  weild  the  needle  with  advantage,  fo  as  to  unite 
the  ufeful  and  beautiful,  is  her  particular  province,  and 
a  fort  of  ingenuity,  which  (hews  her  in  the  moft  ami- 
able and  attracting  point  of  view.  Solomon  defcribes 
his  excellent  daughter,  as  employed  in  the  labours  of 
the  diftaff,  or  the  needle.  Homer  paints  his  bvely 
matrons  as  engaged  in  iuch  domeftic  avocations.  An- 
dromache is  thus  relieving  her  folitude,  when  fhe  is 
furprized  into  tranfport,  by  the  unexpected  return  of 
Hector  from  the  war. 

The  heart  glows  with  pleafure,  when  we  read  the 
accounts  of  the  good  Roman  matrons  in  the  purer  and 
unvitiated  ages  of  their  republic.  The  grcateft  men, 
princes,  warriors,  fenators  and  philofophers  were  clothed 
in  the  labours  of  their  wives  and  daughters.  Induftry, 
in  this  happy  period,  was  efteemed  a  virtue,  and  it 
was  not  beneath  a  woman,  of  the  firft  quality  or  under- 
(tending,' to  be  an  excellent  ceconomifr,  who  u  looked 
"  well  to  the  ways  of  her  houfehold." 

Employment  is  the  grand  prefervative  of  health  and 
innocence.  When  we  have  nothing  to  do,  we  imme- 
diately become  a  burden  to  ourfelves  j:  the  mind  and 
body  languifh  for  want  of  exercife,  and  we  fall  into  a 
ihoufand  dangerous  temptations. 
N  3 


150  LETTERS   to  a. 

LETTER      LXV. 


i 


F  you  have  any  natural  tafte  for  drawing,  I  mould 
wi(h  you  to  indulge  it.  I  think  it  an  accomplifhment, 
very  well  adapted  both  to  the  tafte  and  delicacy  of  your 
fex.  It  will  agreeably  exercife  your  ingenuity  and* 
invention.  It  will  teach  you  to  difcover  a  fuperior 
rlnifli  in  all  the  varied  landfcapes  and  fcenery  of  na- 
ture ;  to  furvey  the  works  of  our  diftinguifhed  matters, 
with  an  higher  relifh  and  a  more  poignant  curiofity  $ 
and  it  will  heighten  all  the  innocent  pleafures  of  your 
retirement.  When  nature  howls  with  winds,  or  is 
covered  with  fnow,  you  will  be  able,  in  a  moment,  to 
call  a  fancy  fpring  upon  the  canvafs,  of  which  the  bJof- 
foms  will  be  ever  fragrant,  and  the  trees  ever  green. 
You  may  thus  have  birds,  always  on  the  fpray,  and 
larks>  apparently  thrilling  out  praife  to  their  bountiful 
Creator. 


L    E     T    T    E    R      LXVI. 

J.VJLUSIC,  by  which  I  mean,  playing  on  an  inflru- 
inent,  or,  occafionalfy,  finging,  is  a  very  defireable  acqui- 
fition  in  any  woman,  who  has  time  and  money  enough 
to  devote  to  the  purpofe,for  it  requires  no  inconfiderabJe 
portion  of  both.     It.  will  enable  you  to  entertain  your 


YOUNG     LADY.  151 

friends  ;  to  confer  pleafure  upon  others,  mufl:  increafc 
your  own  happinefs,  and  it  will  infpire  tranquility,  and 
harmonize  your  mind  and  fpirits,  in  many  of  thole 
ruffled  or  lonely  hours,  which,  in  almoft  every  fituation, 
will  be  your  Jot. 

The  paflions  of  mankind,  however,  have  very  much 
debafed  and  profaned  this  art,  which,  like  others,  rri$ 
originally  facred,  and  intended  to  chant  the  pfaifes  of 
the  Almighty.  Many  fongs  are  couched  in  fuch  wi- 
delicate  language,  and  convey  fuch  a  train  of  lufcious 
ideas,  as  are  only  calculated  to  foil  the  purity  of  a  youth- 
/w/mind.  I  fhould,  therefore,  recommend  (if  I  may 
fo  exprefs  myfelt)  rather  the  facred,  than  the  profane  of 
this  ftudy.  Indeed,  church  mufic  is,  in  itfelf,  more  de- 
lightful than  any  other.  What  can  be  fuperior  to 
fome  paflages  of  Judas  Maccabseus,  or  the  -MefTiah  ? 
There  is  not,  perhaps,  an  higher  among  the  melancholy 
pleafures,  than  a  funeral  dirge. 

Dancing,  in  a  degree,  is  profefTedly  aneiTentinl  part 
of  a  good  education,  as  correcting  any  awkvjardnef  of 
gefture,  giving  an  eafy  and  graceful  motion  to  the  body, 
and,  if  praclifed  early,  perhaps  even  in  direcling  its 
growth.  Modern  manners,  however,  have  carried 
the  fondnefs  for  this  accomplishment  to  an  immoderate 
extreme.  A  paflion  for  making  the  heft  figure  in  a 
minuet,  is  vaftly  beneath  the  dignity  of  a  woman's 
underftanding.  And  I  am  not  fure,  wpether excelling 
in  this  particular,  docs  not  infpire  too  great  a  fondnefs 
for  diflipating  pleafures,  and  proportionably  abate  the 
ardour  for  more  retired  virtues.     A  woman,  who  can 


152 


LETTERS    to 


fparlde  and  engage  the  admiration  of  every  beholder, 
at  a  birth-night  or  a  ball,  is  not  always  content  with 
the  graver  office  of  managing  a  family,  or  the  ftill  and 
fober  innocence  of  domeftic  fcenes.  Befides,  dancing 
is  not,  at  certain  moments,  without  its  temptations. 
An  elegant,  illuminated  room,  brilliant  company,  the 
enchanting  powers  of  mufic,  admiring  eyes,  obfequious 
beaus,  attitude,  &c.  are  apt  to  tranfport  the  mind  a 
little  beyond  the  rational  medium  of  gentle  agitation. 

I  would  not,  however,,  be  a  cynical  moralift,  that 
would  abridge  you  of  any  harmlefs  amufemertt.  I 
have  only  my  apprehenfions  for  your  innocence,  for 
indeed  it  is  a  plant  of  a  very  delicate  complexion.  And 
you  will  then  have  attained  the  perfection  of  your 
character,  when  you  can  mix  a  paflion  for  thefe  elegant 
*ccomplifhments,  with  a  turn  for  folid  and  domeftic 
virtue;  when  you  can,  one  night  be  diftinguifhed  at 
a  ball,  and  the  next  want  no  other  entertainment,  than 
what  the  made,  your  family,  a  well  chofen  book,  or  an 
agreeable  walk  are  able  to  afford.  I  mould  wifh  you 
to  be  innocent,  and,  if  pojible,  accompli 'bed  at  the  fame 
time  \  but,  at  any  rate,  I  would  have  you  innocent^  be^ 
caufe,  other  wife,  you  cannot  be  happy* 


LETTER     LXVII. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 


W: 


ILL  you  bear  with  my  impertinence,  if  I  at- 
tempt  to  give  you  my  directions  on  a  fubjeet  where 


Y  O  U  NT  G      L  A  D  Y.  153 

your  fex  are  allowed  to  poffefs  infinitely  more  tafte  and 
judgment  than  our  own,  that  of  drefs.  I  offer,  how- 
ever, my  plain  and  undifguifed  fentiments,  only  for 
your  advantage  :  and,  I  am  fure,  you  will  receive  them 
with  that  candour  and  indulgence,  to  which  my  friend- 
fhip  for  you  has  an  indifputable  claim. 

Neatnefs,  you  cannot  cultivate  with  too  much  atten- 
tion. I  would  prefs  it  on  every  female,  as  ftrongly,  if 
poflible,  as  Lord  Cheftcrfield  did  the  graces  on  his  fon. 
The  want  of  it  is  unpardonable  in  a  man,  but,  in  a 
« oman,  it  hjhocking.  It  difgufts  aUher  friends  and  in- 
timates ;  has  eitranged  the  affections  of  many  an  huf- 
band,  and  made  him  feek.  that  fatisfaclion  abroad, 
which  he  found  not  at  home. 

Some  ladies,  who  were  remarkably  attentive  to  their 
perfons  before  marriage,  neglect  them  afterwards,  in  an 
egregious  manner.  They  cannot  pay  a  worfe  com- 
pliment to  their  own  delicacy,  or  to  their  hufbands.  If 
they  conceived,  feme  efforts  neceffary  to  gain  the  prize, 
xr.ore,  I  am  fure,  are  required  to  preferve  it. 

It  is  the  opinion  of  (I  believe)  Rochefoucault,  that 
nice  obferver  of  life  and  manners,  that  the  affection  of 
woman  increafes  after  marriage,  whilft  that  of  man  is 
apt  to  decline.  Whatever  be  the  cavf,  a  prudent  wo- 
man will,  at  Ieaft,  ufe  every  method  in  her  power,  to 
guard  againft  Co  mortifying  a  change.  Neatnefs,  how- 
ever, iseafily  practifed,  and  will  always  have  confider- 
able  weight. 

In  the  eyes  of  fervants  and  domcm'cs,  indeed,  a  wo- 
man lofes  her  confequence  and  authority,  by  a  neglect 


x54  LETTERS     rb   a 

•f  her  perfon.  She  will  not  be  obeyed  with  cheerful* 
nefs,  and  fhe  will  become  an  object  of  ridicule,  in  all 
their  private  parties  and  converfations.  If  inferiors 
muir  be  fubje&,  they  will  pay  an  unconji  rained  homage 
only  to  a  perfon,  who  attrads  by  propriety  the  eftima- 
tion  of  the  world. 

Neatnefs  is  the  natural  garb  of  a  well  ordered  mind, 
and  has  a  near  alliance  with  purity  of  heart.  Law 
has  faid  of  his  Miranda,  that  fhe  was  always  clean 
without,  becaufe  (he  was  always  pure  within.  And  Ri- 
chard fon,  whofe  tafte  was  as  exquifite  as  his  imagina- 
tion glowing,  has  painted  his  ClarifTa,  as  always  drefled, 
before  fhe  came  down  flairs,  for  any  company,  that 
might  break  in  upon  her  during  the  whole  day. 

Finery  is  feldom  graceful.  The  eafy  undrefs  of  a 
morning  often  pleafes  more,  than  the  moft  elaborate 
2nd  coftly  ornaments.  I  need  not  fay  of  how  much 
time  and  money  they  rob  us,  which  are  facred  to 
virtue  and  to  the  poor,  nor  how  foon  this  very  embel- 
l\jhed  body  will  be  duft  and  afhes.  The  perfection  of 
the  art  is  conveyed  in  two  words  ;  an  elegant  /implicit)'* 
Ladies  are  certainly  injudicious  in  employing  fo  many 
male  frifeurs  about  their  perfons.  The  cuftom  is  in- 
delicate ;  it  is  contrary  to  cleanlinefs,  and  all  their  ma- 
noeuvres cannot  equal  the  beauty  of  natural,  eafy  ring^ 
lets,  untortured  and  unadorned.  •• 

The  nearer  you  approach  to  the  rnafculine  in  your 
apparel,  the  further  you  will  recede  from  the  appropri* 
ate  graces  and  J oft nefs  of  your  fex.  Addifon,  in  his 
day,  lalhed,  with  a  delicate  vein  of  irony,  this  abfurd 
transformation.  The  prefent  age  wants  fuch  an  inimi- 
table cenfor.      The  riding  habits,   particularly,   that 


Y  O.U  N  G    LADY.  155 

have  been  fo  fafhionable,  and  even  made  their  appear- 
ance at  all  public  places,  conceal  every  thing  that  is 
attractive  in  a  woman's  perfon,  her  figure,  her  manner, 
and  her  graces.  They  wholly  unfex  her,  and  give  her 
the  unpleafing  air  of  an  Amazon,  or  a  virago.  Who 
likes  the  idea  ?  or  if  you  would  be  more  ftruck  with 
the  alfurdity,  tell  me  what  you  will  think  of  petit  mat- 
tres  in  muffs  ?  You  immediately  defpife  theridiculouf- 
nefs  of  the  one;  we  daily  feel  the  unnaturalncfs  of  the 
other.  We  forget  that  you  are  wofnen  in  fuch  a  garb, 
and  we  forget  to  love. 

Every  .public  paper  one  opens,  is  a  violation  of  your 
delicacy,  and  an  infult  to  your  underftanding.     Pow- 
ders, perfumes,  pomatums,  cofmetics,  eflence  of  rofes, 
Olympian  dew,  artificial  eyes,  teeth,   hair  advertifed 
for  your  advantage,  would  be  an  heavy  ftigma,  if  fome 
kind  and  vsell-difpofed  perfons  among  our  ownfex,  were 
not  willing  to  mare  with  you,  a. part  of  the  burden. — 
Blum,  my  dear  girl,  at  fuch  unfeemly  practices.      Be 
content  to  be,  what  God  and  nature  intended  you  :  ap- 
pear in  your  true  colours ;   abhor  any  thing  like  deceit, 
in  your  appearance,  as  well  as  your  character.  j  What 
mult  all  fenfible  men  think  of  a  woman,  who  has  a 
room,  filled  with  a  thoufand  preparations  and  mixtures 
to  deceive  him  ?  What  money,  what  time  muft  be  given 
to  this  odious,  infufferable  vanity  !   Under  fuch  unnatu- 
ralManagement,  how  different  muft  be  the  female, of 
the  evening  and  the  morning  !  What  muft  we  think  of 
marriage,  drefling-rooms  and  toilets  !  What  an  open- 
ing for  expoflulation,  coldnefles,  averfions  !  If  an  "  e- 
legant  fimplicity"  be  the  perfeclion  of  drefs,  this  is  Aire* 
ly»  as  far  as  poffible,  removed  from  perfection.     It  is 
not  fimplicity  j  it  is  not  elegant. 


156  LETTERS. 

It  would  be  cruel  to  add  any  thing  to  the  puni'/h- 
ment  of  the  men,  who  can  have  recourfe  to  fuch  effem- 
inate artifices.  They  have  already  the  (corn  and  ridi- 
cule of  one  /ex,  and  the  ftern  contempt  and  indignation 
of  the  other.  They  are  poor,  amphibious  animals, 
that  the  beft  naturalifts  know  not  und^-r  what  clafs  t© 
arrange. 

Painting  is  indecent,  ofTenfive,  criminal.  It  haftens 
the  approach  of  wrinkles  ;  it  deftroys  conftitutions, 
and  defaces  the  image  of  your  Maker. 

Would  you  think  of  giving  the  laft  touch  to  the 
pieces  of  a  Pouflin,  or  a  Salvator  Rofa  ?  Believe,  for 
a  moment,  that  the  Almighty  is,  at  ieaft,  as  great  in 
bis  way,  as  either  of  thefe  artilts. 

Let  the  martyrs  of  fafhion,  luxury  and  difTipation, 
who  turn  night  into  day,  have  recourfe  to  this  filthy 
and  abominable  practice.  Let  them  feek  a  refource 
from  the  rebukes  of  their  confcience,  in  gaiety  and 
noife.  But  let  the  fairnefs  of  your  complexion,  be  on- 
ly that  of  nature,  and  let  your  rouge  be  the  crimfon 
blufh  of  health,  arifing  from  temperance,  regularity, 
exercife  and  air. 

That  beauty,  truly  bent,  whofe  red  and  white. 

Nature's  own  fweet,  and  cunning  hand  laid  on. 

Such  Jimph 'city  will  recommend  you  to  God  ;  and,  if 
you  retain  any  fears  of  offending  him,  how  dare  you 
deface  his  image,  in  your  countenance,  by  artificial  de- 
corations ?  Such  innocence  will  charm,  when  paint  is 
diffolved.  It  will  call  up  a  bloom,  and  caft  up  a  fra- 
grance even  on  the  lateft  winter  of  your  age. 

END    OF    VOLUME    FIRST. 


7L       e       t       t       e       r      s 

T.  O       A 

r  O    U   N  G      lad    r, 

ON      A.  VARIETY.  OF 

.USEFUL    and    INTERESTING    SUBJECTS  ; 

CALCULATED    TO 

IMPROVE    THE    HEART,     FORM    THE    MANNERS, 

AND 

EN  LIGHT  Eft  the  UNDERSTANDING. 
o  e4  That  our  Daughters  may  be  as  poKJh;J  corners  of  the  Tcmpk*" 

BY      THE 

Rev.      JOHN  BENNE    1\ 

AUTHOR  OF  STRICTURES  ON  FEMALE  EDUCATION. 
IN     TWO     VOLUMES, 

VOL.     II. 

N  £    IV   B    V    R    T   P    0    K    Tt 
TRINTED   AND  SOLD  BY    JOHN   MYCALL, 


LETTERS     &c. 


LETTER    I. 
To  Miss  LUCY 

MY  DEAR  LUC?, 

JiX.  Vv'OMAN  may  be  fairly  allowed  a  little  more 
attention  to  ornament,  than  would  be  pardon\ble  in  the 
other  fex.  Nature,  through  all  her  works,  has  lavish- 
ed more  external  brilliancy,  colouring  and  plumage  on 
{he  female.  And,  though  drefs,  in  itfelf,  is  no  ejfentlal 
quality,  we  are  induced  to  judge  more  of  your  real 
character  and  dlfpofition  from  it,  than  you  are  apt  to 
imagine.  We  fancy  it,  in  its  different  modtficathns,  a 
mark  of  good  fenfe,  delicacy  3nd  difcretion,  or  of  the 
very  oppofite  defects.  Every  fenfible  woman,  there- 
fore, will  fludy  it  fo  far,  as  not  to  fubje£fc  hcrfelf  to  un- 
favourable eonftruclions.  Sire  will  endeavour  to  con- 
vince every  beholder,  that  (lie  knows  the  proper  medium. 


LETTERS    to    a 

betwixt  a  ndlcufous  prcfufton,  and  a  total  want  of  or- 
nament; that  (he  can  tiflue  plainnefs  with  elegance  $ 
that  me  does  not  wifh  to  Jediue  by  her  appearance,  but 
only  to  pleafe  ;  that  fhe  has  cultivated  htr  mind,  much 
more  than  her  perfon,  and  placed  the  higheft 'value, 
not  on  the  outward,  perifhable  cafket,  but  the  dia- 
mond within. 

I  rejoice,  that  the  good  fenfe  of  my  country-women 
has  corrected  fome  tele  glaring  indecencies  of  drefs. — 
Young  ladies  mould  not  be  too  liberal  in  the  difplay  of 
their  charms.  Too  much  expofure  does  not  enhance 
their  value  :  And  it  approaches,  too  nearly,  to  the 
manricr  oithofe  women,  whom  they  would  furely  think 
if  no  honour  to  referable.  Bofoms  mould  throb  «*» 
feen.  The  bouffant  was  an  ornament  of  too  trar.foa- 
rttd  a  kind.  Wherever  delicacy  throws  its  modeft  dra- 
pery, imagination  always  lends  inexpreffible  charms. — 
As  fine  a  woman  as  the  Venus  of  Medici,  would  ceafe 
to  be  admired,  if  curiofity  ceafed  to  be  fufpoided. 

There  is  3  great  neatnefs  in  the  drefs  of  quakers, 
and  of  fome  other  feftaries,  who  have  copied  their  ex- 
ample. It  has,  however,  more  primnefs,  than  eafe. — 
In  this  refpeel,  you  have  too  much  good  fenfe  to  affect 
Jingularity.  Religion  confifts  in  fomething  more  fuh- 
Jlantial)  than  any  particular  modes  of  appearance.  And 
there  is,  if  I  miitake  not,  lome  conceit  and  tridey  under 
this  prodigious,  cvcr-aclcd  plainnefs.  Many,  whom 
thefe  narrow-minded  perfons  would  fentence,  perhaps, 
to  torments,  for  being  elegantiy  drefied,  have  hearts, 


YOUNG      LADY.  5 

that  overflow  with  univerfal  benevolence,  and  infinite- 
ly more  piety  and  goodnefs,  than  themfelves. 

You  know  what  young  lady  I  mean  by  EmcUa,  [ 
do  not  know  a  pcrfon  that  drciTes  better.  She  is  (In- 
sularly happy  in  her  choice  of  colours.  Like  her  vir- 
tues, thev  are  of  the  foft  2X1&  ftmdcd  kind,  not  the  bril- 
liant or  the  gaudy.  I  never  faw  her  fine  ;  but  flie  ne- 
ver xsfantajhe.  She  is  feldoni  fplendid  ;  but  neatnejs  is 
all  her  own.  If  me  puts  on  only  a  ribbon,  it  is  fele&* 
ed  with  all  the  exquiiite  modelly  of  her  mind,  and  dif- 
pofed  of  by  the  hands  of  tafte.  The  graces  always 
appear  to  have  been  in  waiting  for  the  few  moments 
that  fhe  ever  fuffers  drefs  to  take  up  her  attention. 

I  very  much  admire  the  fames,  which,  of  late,  have 
been  fo  famionable  among  young  ladies.  They  give 
me  the  idea  of  a  childifh  fimp'kity,  innocence  and 
eafe.  Thefe,  and  flowing  ringlets  are  on  the  fyftem  of 
nature.     And  nature  will  always  pleafe. 

I  am  forry,  however,  to  obferve,  that  thefe  piriijh  or- 
naments mould  likewife  have  encircled  the.lefs  delicate 
waifts  of  fome  married  women.  There  cannot  be  a 
more  abfurd  or  difgufting  affectation.  J  if  I  was  net 
writing  to  ladies,  I  would  be  humorous.  On  fuch  a 
fubjec~t,  I  could  befevere.  But  feme  improper  ideas 
might  be  fuggefted,  and  I  will  enly  fay,  that  the  fober, 
cged  autumn  is  never  clad  in  trie  cheerful  livery  of 
fpring. 

On  the  whole,  my  dear  girl,  as  a  reafonsble  creature, 
and  as  a  chriftian,  never  fufter  yourlelf  to  be  led  away 
by  an  extravagant  fondnefs  for  drefs.     W  hat  is  iinc.y 

a3 


LETTERS    to 

compared  with  understanding  ?  What  is  fplendor,cori- 
trafted  with  reafon  ?  What  is  your  body,  but  a  tempo  ^ 
vary  receptacle  for  an  immsrtal mind  ?  Ir  is  but  the  caf- 
kct  \  the  jewel  is  the  foul.  And  how  very  low  and  poor 
in  itlelf  is  the  ambition  of  apparel  ?  After  all  our  ef- 
forts, we  can  never  make  it  equal  the  beauty  of  lilies, 
or  to  vie  with  the  exquiiite  tints  of  the  rofe.  What- 
ever you  can  fpare,  from  fuch  expenfe,  to  give  to  the 
poor,  will  be  a  jtlid  treafure,  when  beauty  is  but  duftr 
and  afTies,  and  when  gaiety  is  forgotten. 


LETTER      II. 


p. 


OLITENESS,  if  fuppofed,  like  Lord  Cheftcr- 
field's,  to  be  made  up  of  dijjimulatlon,  or  to  confift  in  2 
number  of  ceremonious  attitudes  or  fulfome  compli- 
ments, without  any  meaning,  is  ridicuioufly  frivolous  ; 
hut,  on  the  other  hand,  if  it  fprings  from  principle, 
from  a  real  defire  of  pleafing,  and  is  directed  to  its 
proper  ends,  it  is,  at  Ieaft,  a  meft  amiable  quality,  if  it 
does  not  rank  in  the  number  of  the  virtues.  In  the 
intercourse  of  life,  and  the  prcfent  ftate  of  fociety,  this 
rood -breeding  is  necefTafy  to  our  own  pca<!:e,  and  to 
that  of  ethers.  It  prevents  a  thoufand  inquietudes,  ir- 
ritations, offences;  it  difFufes  an  innocent  pleafure, 
and  it  (Siflrufes  ;'t  even  moment,     We  daily  converfe  with 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  7 

many  perfons,  confiderably  indifferent  to  us,  and  from 
whom  we  expert  neither  fervices  nor  obligations,  who, 
yet,  have  it  in  their  power,  by  a  rough,  ungracious 
manner,  by  unguarded  fayings,  or  fpeaking  (as  it  is 
called)  their  min<h,  efientially  to  hurt  our  feelings,  four 
our  fpirits,  give  us  a  bad  hcad-ach^  or  to  break  our  reft  ; 
there  are  as  many,  on  the  other  hand,  who  look  up  to 
us  for  no  ejfential  favours,  whom,  yet,  in  our  turn,  we 
may,  not  a  little,  irritate  arid  diltrefs,  by  want  of  civi- 
lity, by  any  hauteur  or  fupercilioufnefs  in  our  looks  or 
carriage,  or  a  withholding  of  thofe  kind  attentions, 
which,  on  every  principle  of  reafon,  humanity  and  ci- 
vilization, are  reciprocally  due  from  every  human  crea- 
ture to  another. 

This  reafoning,  mil  more  forcibly  applies  to  mem- 
bers of  the  fame  family  ;  to  wives  and  huibnnds  ; 
children  and  parents  ;  brothers  and  fillers.  \f  this 
kind  of  good-breeding  be  ever  violated  among  tkemy 
the  confequence  is,  coldnefs,  quarrels,  and  gradual  a~ 
verfion. 

So  great,  indeed,  is  the  influence  of  true  politenefs 
over  the  mind,  that  even  favours  conferred  in  an  Un'± 
pleafing  manner,  without  it,  become  an  infupportable  in- 
fult;  whilfr  a  refufal,  foftens  by  it,  into  an  obligation, 
and  is,  fometimes,  made  the  bafis  of  a  lafting  grati- 
tude, affeclion  or  cfteern. 

This  grace  mwf^be  defined  the  art  of  being  eafy 
ourfelves,  in  company,  and  of  making  all  ethers  eafy 
tbout  us.  It  isthe  proper  medium  betwixt  the  total 
want  of,  and  an  officious,  over-a£ted,  civility.  It 
confitls  in  a  general,  in  dif criminate  attention  \  in  doing 


8  LETTERS-    to    a 

little  civil  offices,  and  faying  obliging  things  to  all  the 
parties  we  converfe  with  ;  in  accommodating  ourfelves, 
as  well  as  the  converfation,  to  their  particular  taft.es, 
habits  and  inclinations  ;  in  keeping  every  offenfive  fub- 
jed:  and  idea  out  of  view ;  in  never  glancing  at  our 
civn  affairs,  and  always  paying  the  minuteft  regard  to 
thofe  of  others  ;  in  annihilating^  as  it  were,  ourfelves, 
and  as  lludioully  exalting  all  that  are  about  us. 

If  I  have  not  much  miftaken,  the  bell-  rules  for  it 
will  be  found  in  that  religion,  which  requires  us  "to 
"  love  one  another;  to  be  gentle  and  courteous  ;  to 
"  avoid  offences  ;  to  become  innocently  all  things  to  all 
"  men ;  in  honour  to  prefer  one  another,  and  to 
"  efteem  others  better  than  ourfelves." 

.  The  exteriors  of  good  breeding,  fuch  as  prrfenting 
yourfelf  gracefully,  entering  or  quitting  a  room  with 
eafe,  a  proper  gaif,  air,  gefture,  &c.  I  am  not,  at 
prefent,  confidering.  Thefe  arc  only  acquired  by  early 
education,  habits  of  good  company,  or  by  a  general 
intercourse 'with  the  world  ;  and  though  they  may  be 
wanting,  I  will  venture  to  fay,  t!  at  the  perfon  will  al- 
ways pi  eafe,  and  always  be  refpected,  who  poffeffes  on- 
ly this  principle  within. 

True  politenefs  gives  a  luftre  to  all  our  good  quali- 
ties. It  is  a  fovereign  enamel  to  all  the  virtues,  and 
proportionably  extends  our  power  of  doing  good. — 
Learning,  riches,  flation,  talents,  genius,  without  it,  are 
overbearing  and  infufferable,  or,  at  leaft,  may  be  very 
awkard  and  unpleafing.  They  referable  a  rich,  unfi- 
irijhid  pictijre,  thrown  into  a  dark  and  an  unpicajant 
room.     Politenefs  gives    them  the   Iart  touch,  raifes 


YOUNG      LADY.  9 

ifi'em  into  a  proper  light,  and  clothes  them  with  the 
rrioft  beautiful  drapery. 

Religion  itfelf  has  often  fuffered  for  want  of  this 
grace.  Good  people  have  not,  always,  been  gentle, 
courteous  or  well  bred,  and  an  odium  has  been 
fixed  on  their  profcffion,  which  has  deterred  many 
from  becoming  converts. 

Many  bad  men,  on  the  other  fund,  by  a  plecfeng 
manner,  have  fo  fuccefsfully  varni(hed  over  their  vices, 
as  to  have  acquired  a  confiderable  reputation.  Their 
crimes  have  been  forgotten  in  their  politenefs.  Can  I 
mention  a  ftronger  argument  to  recommend  this  ac- 
compliftiment  ?  We  (hould  not,  furely,  for  want  of  a 
little  care,  "  iuffer  our  gdcd  to  be  evil  fpoken  of," 


L    E    T    T    E    R      IlL 

j/r  is  a  great  "unhappincfs  to'  many  ladies  of  fortune 
that  they  have  not  fufficient  employment  to  fill  up  their 
time  ;  and,  in  order  to  prevent  that  languor  and  ennui ^ 
which  are  the  moft  unpleafant  feelings  of  human  life, 
either  fall  into  a  low  ftate  of  fpirits,  or  have  recourfe 
to  play,  public  pleafures,  or  a  perpetual  round  of  vifits, 
for  their  amufement. 

The  religious  exercifes^  however,  and  the  ftudies  I 
have  recommended,  will  no*  only  occupy  your  hours  in- 


!•  LETTERS    to    a 

a  rational  and  ufeful  manner,  but  fome  of  them,  from 
their  very  nature,  will  become  an  inexhauftible  foUrce 
of  the  purefl:  pleafure.  Still  uniformity,  in  any  one 
purfuit,  however  pleafmg,  will  exhauft  the  fpirits,  and 
they  will  frequently  want  a  relief.  The  e)e  could  not 
confiardly  behold,  without  injury,  the  moft  beautiful 
Jandfcape.  It  may,  perhaps,  be  the  privilege  of  angejs 
and  fuperior  fpirits,  to  ferve  their  Maker  without  wea'- 
rinefs  or  diflra&ion  ;  but  a  mind,  united  to  a  body  of 
day,  muft  have  very  frequent  intervals  of  languor,  and 
want  as  many  of  inter  mijjion. 

Innocent  relaxation  is  as  much  a  part  of  true  wif- 
dom,  as  employment  itfelf.  Indeed,  it  is  neceflary  to 
fit  us  for  our  duties.  The  earth  itfelf  would  not  be 
able  to  vegetate  and  moot  forth  into  all  the  bloom  and 
verdure  of  fpring,  if  it  did  not  regain  its  exhaufted 
powers  during  the  fombrous  leifure  of  the  winter. 

The  rule  is,  we  mould  amufe  ourfelves,  in  order  to 
iive%  in  the  true  fenfe  of  the  word,  and  not  live  to  be 
amufed.  Relaxation,  conducted  on  this  principle,  will 
never  occupy  too  great  a  (hare  of  our  time  or  atten- 
tion. It  will  be  confident  with  the  univerfal  principle 
of  "  doing  all  things  to  the  glory  of  God." 

A  woman's  amufements  fliould,  as  much  as  poflible, 
be  aomeflic  ;  and  her  own  walls  will  prefent  many  ex- 
cellent opportunities  of  fuch  a  nature.  The  exercife 
of  parental  or  filial  affedtion,  is  a  fource  of  hcart-idt 
and  refined  pleafure.  Intercourfes  of  tendernefs  be- 
twixt branches  of  the  fame  family,  and  the  little  en- 
gaging attentions  they  create,  ftimulate  the  liner  move- 
ments of  the  body,  and  give  piay  to  all  the  refre(hing 


YOUNG      LADY.  If 

emotions.  A  mother,  in  particular,  muft  have  thefe 
natural  delights  in  perfection.  Her  heart  mult  vibrate 
with  an  exquifite  fondnefs,  to  the  playful  graces  of  a 
little  offspring,  and  their  continually  unfolding  charms. 

Exercife  in  the  open  air,  is  another  great  amufe- 
ment.  Frefh  breezes,  a  variety  of  objects,  gentle  mo- 
tion, and  all  the  charming  pictures  of  nature,  cheer 
the  mind,  and  invigorate  the  fpirits.  The  fedentary 
life  of  women,  is  the  parent  of  many  fafhionable  com- 
plaints ;  weak  nerves,  low  fpirits,  vapours,  hyiterics, 
languors.  No  conftitut-ion  can  long  withftand  the  bad 
effe&s  of  luxury  and  inaction.  Such  people  may  cx- 
jftj  but  they  cannot  live. 

In  a  rich  entertainment,  Mr.  Addifon  faw  fevers, 
dropfies,  gouts  and  rheumatifms  in  embryo.  Who, 
that  looks  at  women,  emaciated  with  midnight  plea- 
fures,  and  pale,  for  want  of  exercife  and  air,  muft  not 
behold  the  feeds  of  infinite  diforders,  and  likewife 
tremble  for  the  rifing  generation  ? 

The  ancients  paid  a  very  nice  attention  to  the  con- 
ftitutions  of  females.  To  give  them,  in  particular 
Jituations,  every  degree  of  firmnefs,  was  not  thought 
beneath  the  attention  of  thole  great  men,  who,  by 
their  eloquence  and  valour,  aftonifhed  the  world. 

Attention  to  a  garden  is  a  truly  feminine  amufement. 
If  you  mix  it  with  a  taftc  for  botany,  and  a  knowledge 
of  plants  and  flowers,  you  will  never  be  in  want  of 
an  excellent  reftorative.  Our  firft  parents  are  descri- 
bed by  Milton,  as  tending  the  ihrubs  and  flowers  of 
their  paradife,  with  unceafing  afliduity,  and  as  riling;, 
with  the  dawn,  to  work  : .  s 


12  .LETTERS    to   a 

Among  fv/eet  dews  and  flow'rs,  where  any  row 
Of  fruit-trees  over  wooJy,  reaeh'd  too  far 
Their  pamper'd  boughs,  and  needed  hands  to  check 
Fruitlefs  embraces,  or  they  lead  the  vine 
To  wed  her  elm. 

There  is  an  ineripreflible  tranquility  in  a  garde»; 
which  foothes  the  fpirits  into  that  kind  of  cheerful  pen- 
fivenefs,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  right  temperature  of 
the  moral  conftitution.  Our  Saviour  often  reforted  to 
a  garden.  Innocence  and  piety  found  it  the  happieft 
place  for  meditation  and  repofe.  It  is  impofiible,  in- 
deed, to  have  a  richer  blefling,  than  a  tafte  for  the  ge~ 
neral beauties  of  nature.  It  is  an  incxhaufHble  fund, 
of  pleafure  within  every  perfon's  reach  ;  it  purifies  and 
refines  the  mind,  and  raifes  it  above  the  artificial  gai- 
ties,  which  are  purchafed  at  fo  great  an  expenfe  pi 
time,  money,  and  often,  of  cenflitution* 

O  blefs'd  of  heav'n,  whom  not  the  languid  fongs 

Of  luxury,  the  firen,  not  the  bribes 

Of  fordid  wealth,  nor  all  the  gaudy  fports 

Of  pageant  honours  can  feduce  to  leave 

Thefe  ever-blooming  fweets,  which,  "from  the  flore 

Of  nature,  fair  Imagination  culls 

To  charm  th'  enliven'd  foul.— — — 

Thus  the  men, 
Whom  nature**  works  can  charm,  with  Gdd  him&lf 
Hold  converfe,  grow  familiar  day  by  day 
With  his  conceptions,  aft  upon  his  plan, 
And  form  to  his,  the  relifli  of  their  fouls. 

But  friendjhip,  after  all,  ifc  the  great  medicine  of  life, 
We  were  born  for  fociety,  and  the  mind  never  fo  ef- 
fectually unburdens  itfelf,  as  in  the  convocation  of  a 


Y  O  UNG    iADY.  13 

weil  chofen  friend.  Happy  the  woman,  who  finds 
fuch  a  treafure !  "  It  is  more  precious,  than  thoufands 
of  gold  or  filyer." 

Great  care,  indeed,  judgment,  tafte  and  vigilance, 
are  abfolutely  neceflary  to  direct  you  in  the  choice.  A 
ftrici  friendship  is  adopting,  as  it  were,  the  fentiments, 
the  manners,  the  morals,  and,  aJmoft  the  bappinefs  or 
mifery  of  others.  Religion  fhould  guide  you  on  this 
occafion.  None  but  a  good  perfon  is  capable  of  true  at- 
tachment, and,  I  trull,  with  you  no  other  would  afTimi- 
late.  If  you  can  meet  with  fuch  a  character,  who,  at 
the  fame  time,  has  a  liberal  and  cultivated  mind,  you 
are  rich  indeed  !     ' 

Sincere  friendships  are,  moit  generally^  formed  at  an 
early  age.  The  heart,  in  this  tender  feafon,  is  foft  and 
unfufpicious.  It-is  amazing,  how  the.  little  tumults  of 
Jife  afterwards  joftle  us  again/?,  and  put  us  out  of  hu- 
mour and  conceit  with  one  another.  Senfibility  be- 
comes petrefied  by  age  and  obfervation.  Ambition, 
avarice,  and  the  little  paltry  competitions,  freeze  up 
the  generous  current  of  the  foul. 


LETTER      IV. 


JL   UBLIC  pleafures  are  efteemed  and  called  the  &- 
xnufements  of  women.     But  I .  think  them  far  from 
B 


14  LETTERS     to  a 

anfwering  the  name.  In  facl,  they  agitate,  rather  than 
relieve,  and  are  more  frequently  fources  of  vexation, 
than  repofe.  Superior  rivals  eclipfe  ;  fancied  friends 
arc  inattentive,  and  the  gaiety  of  the  fcene  has  no 
connexion  with  quiet  of  the  heart.  The  time,  mo- 
ney, and  preparation  they  require,  are  a  ferious  confi- 
deration,  and  Xh^it  frequency  renders  them  a  buCtncfs ;  in- 
ftead  of  preferring  health,  they  undermine  and  deftroy 
it.  Late  hours,  hot  rooms,  and  an  agitated  mind  are 
unfavourable  to  reft ;  and  the  God  of  fleep  will  not 
long  be  defrauded  of  his  rights,  without  retaliating  the 
offence. 

What  we  <77//pleafure,  is  but  a  fplendid  £nd  a  vo- 
luntary y^ry/o'.  If  it  had  not  the  name  of  amufement, 
we  fhould  fjr ink  from  it,  as  an  intolerable  burden. 

Who  are  fo  great  flaves  as  the  votaries  of  fafhion  ? 
What  requires  more  fyjle?natical  diligence,  than  the 
watching  of  every  varying  mode  of  drefs,  and  "catch- 
ing thefe  living  manners,  as  they  rife  ?" 

Qf^// women,  they  who  call  themfelves  fafhionable, 
are  the  mod  unhappy  ;  ever  idly  bufy  ;  ever  vainly  agi- 
tated ;  their  peace,  depends  on  a  whifper,  on  a  look,  or 
a  thouGind  little  emulations,  too  ridiculous  to  be  men- 
tioned !  They  dread  a  private  moment  more  than  an 
aiTailin,  and  with  very  great  reafon  ;  they  cannot  glance 
into  themfelves  with  comfort ;  they  cannot  look  into 
eternity,  with  hope  !  Reafon  fuggefts,  that  they  were 
born  for  fomething  higher,  and  there  are  moments^ 
when  cenjeience  will  be  heard. 


?OUNG     LADY,  15 

How  unheeded  are  the  cries  and  prattle  of  their  in- 
fants !  How  unhappy  muft  be  the  man,  who  has  re- 
ceived from  fuch  women,  vows  which  they  will  not 
perform,  of  fidelity  and  of  attachment ! 

After  all,  it  is  only  in  the  practice  of  virtue  ;  it  is 
only  in  domeftk  life>  that  lies  all  the  foJ:dy  becaufe  all  the 
untumultuous  joy. 


LETTER      V, 


1 


T  would  be  uncomfortable  to  y  cur/elf]  to  live  wholly 
alone  in  the  midrt  of  fociety;  arid  to  others^  it  would 
carry  the  appearance  of  great  pride  or  conceit,  or  An- 
gularity. As  we  were  born  to  be  citizens  of  theivor!\ 
we  feel  ourfelves  uncomfortable,  when  we  are  net  in 
the  exchange  of  little  civilities  with  people  about  us  ; 
and  they,  in  their  turn,  contract  unpleafant  piques  2nd 
prejudices  againft  us.  Mixing  with  company,  has  cer- 
tainly the  good  efTecl:  of  promoting  benevolence,  and 
preventing  many  little  fhynefles  and  mifconftructions. 
Nay,  even  the  lighteir  and  moft  infigniricant  conven- 
tion has  a  tendency  to  relieve  intenfe  thoughtfulnefs, 
and  keep  the  mind  from  preying  too  much  upon  it- 
felf. 

Tea  parties  are  the  general  mode  of  fociety,  among 
ladies*     And  you -muft  pive  into  them,  in  fome  de- 
ll 2 


i6  LETTERS     to  a 

gree,  if  you  will  cultivate  any  acquaintance  with  peopl; 
of  fortune.  Some  of  your  fex  fpend  their  time  in  a 
iorXinual  rotation  of  thefe  vifits,'  and  have  fo  many/>7v- 
conctrtcd engagements  on  their  hands,  as  require  a  very 
orderly  arrangement  upon  paper.  But  this  is  a  moft 
ufelefs  and  infipid  life  ;  and,  where  there  is  a  family, 
cannot  fail  to  interfere  with  many  duties  of  far  higher 
importance.  The  time  that  is  taken  up  in  drefs  alone, 
and  the  money  it  requires,  are  a  prodigious  facrifice. 

Nor  in  the  light  of  amujement  alone,  is  this  continual 
vhlring  to  be  much  recommended.  It  affords  neither 
air  nor  exercife,  and,  frequently,  not  much  agreeable 
or'u'feful  converfatiou.  The  generality  of  men  are  fo 
much  undomejlicated,  fo  loft  to  every  thing  that  is  inno- 
cent in  tafte,  or  natural  in  pleafure,  that  they  are  but 
feldom  to  be  met  with  in  thefe  parties.  A  group  of 
beautiful  females,  are  not,  unfrequently,  feen  together, 
without  one  fingle  perfon  of  the  other  fex,  to  (hare  the 
enjoyment \  and  it  is,  I  conceive,  in  mixed  companies 
alone,  that  converfation  has  its  proper  interejl,  flavour  or 
improvement. 

Your  vifits,  therefore,  I  tnfft,  Will  be,  comparative- 
ly, rare,  and  nicely  felc&ed  ;  and  I  hope  you  will  al- 
ways preferve  yourfelf  from  the  reproach  that  is  gene- 
rally thrown  on  thefe  meetings,  as  being  vehicles  of 
goflTiping  and  fcandal.  It  has  been  objected  to  your 
fex,  that  t'ney  are  prone  to  fatire.  At  a  certain  age,  and 
under  fome  difappointmenis,  perhaps  this  is  true,  They 
have  been  collecting,  for  many  years,  a  quantity  of 
fpleen,  and  imprudently  difcharge  it  on  every  perfon 


Y  O  U  N   G      L  A  $  Y. 


*7 


that  falls  in  their  way.  This  renders  a  woman  unlove- 
ly indeed.  Nay,  the  attempt  at  ir/V,  or  faying  'faa>t 
things,  is,  by  no  means,  to  be  encouraged.  True  hu- 
mour is  the  lot  of  few,  and  can  never  be  an  advance 
to  a  woman.  From  her  we  expect  the  qualities  that: 
pbafe,  foothe  ?.nd  enliven.  Unfortunately  they,  who 
think  themfelves  in  pofllfllon  of  this  weapon,  ere 
brandi  tiling  it  indljcriminatrly  on  all  occafions,  fo  as 
fometimes  to  wound  their  very  near  eft  friends.  If  you 
could  really  fay  thefmflrteft  things*,-  you  might  be  fear- 
ed, but  you  never  would  be  loved. 

The  curiofity  of  women  is  a  proverbial  object  of  fa- 
tire,  and  gives  birth  to  all  that  little  goffiping  which  I 
have  reprobated.  Never  convince  the  world,  by  an 
attention  to  mere  trifles,  that  you  have  fo  unfurnished 
a  mind,  or  fo  little  to  engage  it.  Read  Hayley's  truly 
humorous  Eflays  on  Old  Maids,  and  blufh  at  the  prac- 
tice. Remember  the  fate  of  the  poor,  unhappy  fbiv- 
Jhr,  who  caught  her  death  by  her  immoderate  curiofi- 
ty. c 

You  can  furely  find  infinite  fubjecls  for  the  enter- 
tainment of  an  boury  without  defending  to  theft:  utiU 
things.  If  you  cannot^  it  is  high  time  to  give  vp 
(what  is  only  called)  an  amufement,  for  that  which  is 
a  /Wone,  a  walk,  a  ride,  a  book,  u  garden,  or  the  fc- 
cicty  of  a  chofen  friend. 

It  is  aftonifhing  into,  how  many  difficulties  a  women 
betrays  henelf,    who  is  fond   of   this    practice;   what 
quarrels,  r^coi&u&ions,  and  expiations;  what  \  ,^ 
N  3 


» •  -  * 


iS  LETTERS    to   a 

cret  fhynerTes,  averfions,  mifchicfs  fuch  babblers  create ; 
what  friends  they  fcparate,  and  what  a  badge  of  infa- 
my they  fix  upon  themfelves,  in  the  eyes  of  all  the 
fenhble  and  the  good  ! 

There  was  a  famous  fchool  among  the  ancients, 
where  the  pupils  fpent  feveral  years  in  learning  the  ve- 
ry neceflary  art  of  being  filent.  Remember,  my  dear 
girl,  that  nature  has  given  yovi  two  ears,  and  only  one 
tongue ;  and  that  fcripture  hath  faid,  "  be  fwift  to  hear, 
but  flow  tofpeak." 


LETTER      VI. 

V_>ARDS,  which  are  the  infeparable  concomitants  of 
tea  vifits,  and  introduced  as  foon  as  perfons  are  well 
ieated  in  company,  are  a  very  equivocal  pleafure,  and, 
by  no  means,  to  be  much  recommended,  Little  habits 
infenfibly  beget  a  paffion  for  them;  and  a  pafTion  for 
cards  murders  time,  money,  talents,  underffandirtg, 
every  thing  that  is  rational  in  our  nature,  and  every 
thing  that  is  divine. 

If  experience  did  not  convince  us  of  the  facl,  one 
(hould  never  have  imagined,  that  a  reafonablc  creature 
would  ever  have  been  able  to  confumC  hours,  days, 
weeks,  months,  years,  in  counting  over  the  black  and 
red  fpots  upon  paper,  and  childifhly  to  quarrel  about' 
'.  -  lucre U— a  creator?,   who  lias  an  undemanding, 


Yd  UN  G      L  A  DY.  19 

that  is  capable  of  improvement;'  to  an  infinite  degree  ! 
avcreature,  living  in  a  world,  where  knowledge  is  im- 
menfe,  and  every  flower  or  mrub  a  fubject  of  aftonifh- 
rnent — who  has  a  temper  that  requires  continual 
watchfulnefs  ;  a  foul  that  needs  unremitting  cultivation; 
perhaps  children^  that  call  for  inceflanf  inftru&ion  ; 
amidft  objects  of  diftrefs,  for  which  heaven  begs  each 
fuperfludus  penny,  and  in  a  body,  that  may,  any  mo- 
ment,  drop  into  the  grave  I 

I  will  advert,  no  longer,  to  the  moral  confequences.  • 
A  woman,  who  has  a  wifh  only  to  pleafe,  mould  not  be 
much  addicted  to  this  practice.  It  is  very  apt  to  ruf- 
fle the  temper,  and  difcompofe  the  features  ;  and  a  four 
or  an  angry  look,  is  more  deltructive  to  female  charms, 
than  an  high  fcorbutic  flufl^-or  the  fmall-pox. 

It  is  faid  in  favour  of  cards,  that  they  prevent  fcan- 
dal,  and  are  a  fubftitute  to  many,  for  the  want  of  con- 
verfation.  This  conveys  a  fevere  ftigma  both  on  our 
hearts  and  underftanding.  It  fuppofes,  that  we  have 
few  ftores  of  entertainment  within  ourfelves  ;  and  that 
the  only  way  to  avoid  a  greater  crime,  is,  to  fall  into  a 
Ufi,  Our  moments,  I  fear,  will  not  bear  the  fcrutiny 
of  confeience  or  reafon,  much  lefs  of  the  great  day,  if 
we  cannot  contrive  to  fpend  them  in  an  innocent  and 
ufeful  manner,  without  the  low  refource  of  either  pan- 
da  I  or  pic; 


io  L E  TT'E  R'S   to  a 

L    E    T    T    E    R      VII. 


HE  defenders  of  card*,  however,  will  fay  nothing 
in  favour  c '  yarning.  AV  fortune,  they  -know,  is  equal 
to  its  extravagant  demands.  An  unlucky  throw  Iofes 
thousands  in  a  moment.  It  has  reduced  the  molt  o- 
pulent  families  to  indigence  j  it  has  led  fome  to  for- 
f;  iv,  and  an- ignominious  death  ;  others,  whofe  pride 
would  not  brook  the  degradation^  to  the  fatal  a<£t  of  fui- 
c;de ;  at  heft  it  has  plunged  into  poverty  and  diftrefs, 
many  heirs  of  honourable  and  illuftrious  houfes,  who 
were  born,  in  all  appearance  to  happier  days. 

Your  moderate  card-players  (as  they  call  themfelves) 
have  often  wondered,   what  can  tempt  people  of  for- 
tune to  fuch  a  dreadful  and  ruinous  amufement,  as 
that  of  gaming.    I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  this  mock- 
ing practice  is  nothing  more  than  the  fpirit  of  card 
playing,  carried  to  its  extreme ;  that  equal  temptations 
would  probably  have  led  them  to  the  very  fame  impru- 
dence ;  that  they  both,  generally^  originate  in  the  fame 
principle  (the  want  of  fbmething  fubftantia!  to  fill  and 
exercife  the  mind)  and  are  only  an  aifificiai  method  of 
deftroying  that  ennui  arid  languor,   which  are  the  moft 
infupporrable  feelings  of  hurr  an  life  ;  and  that  the  cure 
of  both  muft,  equally,  fpring  horn  folid  knowledge,  and 
from  folid  virtue. 

Though  gaming,  at/V/?,  rifes  from  no  worfe  a  prin- 
ciple, than  a  want  of  amufement,  or  of  having  fome- 
thing  to  call  the  paflions  into  exercife,  yet,   in  its  c#»'- 


YOUNG     LADY.  21' 

fcqueneeSy  it  has  a  tendency  to  eradicate  every  religious 
and  moral  difpofition,  every  focial  duty;  every  laudable 
and  virtuous  affection.  It  renders  the  mind  ' felfijh  in 
the  extreme,  and  callous  to  the  touch  of  woe,  in  every 
fhape ;  while  it  flops  up  the JIuices  of  charity'  it  extin- 
guifhes  the  inclination  for  it  j  it  is  deaf  to  every  call  oi 
friendship  or  of  prudence.  There  can  be  no  fiich 
thing  as  an  attentive  parent,  mother,  wife,  brother, 
fitter,  or  a  fympathizing  heart,  where  this  infernal  rage 
has  taken  poflefllon  of  the  foul.-  Every  thing  elfe  is 
fwallowed  up  in  the  all-devouring  vortex.  A  gamefler 
would  flake  the  laft  thoufand  on  a  throw,  though  a 
prifon  for  her  hufband,  rags  for  her' children,  or  a  gallows 
ibrher  neareft/r/Vi^,  were  the  melancholy  profpect  i 

If  you  difbelieve  this  reafoning,  look  into  life.  What' 
effects  has  this  paffion  gradually  produced  on  women, 
who  had,  once,  hearts  full  of  tendernefs  and  virtue,  and 
were  affected  with  every  appearance  of  diflrefs  ;  who 
had,  from  nature,  every  refinement  of  tafle,  and  every 
elegance  of  manners  to  captivate  and  charm. 

If  it  were  not  invidious,  I  could  produce  many  \jv\ 
/^characters  to  fupport  my  affertions.  They  Would 
make  a  difmal  picture,  and  the  motto  would  be,  "be- 
ware of  beginnings," 

Though  I  abhor  novels,  yet,  perhaps,  the  celebra- 
ted one  of  Cecilia  is  worth  reading,  if  it  was  only  to 
guard  our  famiohable  ladies  from  fplitting  on  the  dread- 
ful rock  of  the  Harrels.  Many  characters,  in  that 
book,  are  overflrained  ;  but  this  is  borrowed  from  real 
Itfe,  and  daily  obfervation. 


22  LETTERS'    to  a 

LETTER       VIII. 


'AY  down  a  little  plan  for  yourfelf,  and  all  your 
ftudies,  exercifes  and  employments  will  be  eafy  and 
practicable.  You  will  have  time  for  every  thing  j  and 
you  will  never  feem  in  an  hurry  or  embarraJTed. 

Order  is  the  firft  law  of  nature,  and  of  nature's  God. 
The  moon,  (tars  and  tides,  vary  not  a  moment,  and 
the  fun  knoweth  the  "  hour  of  its  going  down." 

Without  order,  a  thouiand  things  will  be  improperly 
delayed,  or  wholly  neglected.  While  we  are  hefita- 
ting  where  to  begin,  or  what  to  do,  hours  fly  away,  in- 
finfd>l)\  never  to  return  ! 

if  every  thing  knows  its  place,  you  will  efcape  the 
lofs  of  many  valuable  moments,  and  the  anxiety  of 
as  many  unprofitable  fearches.  Exaftnefs  is,  by  no 
means,  the  necejfary  appendage  of  an  old  maid. 

Order  is  the  very  parent  of  tranquility,  A  perfon  is 
always  eafy,  whofe  affairs  are  always  in  a  regular  ar- 
rangement. At  the  fame  time,  let  the  mechanifm  of 
your  proeefs  be  invifibk.  The  perfection  of  art,  you 
know,  is  to  conceal  it. 

Be  always  ready  to  receive  your  friends  with  an  o- 
pen  countenance  and  a  cheerful- heart.  Society  and 
connexion  have  claims  upon  us,  to  which  we  fliould 
facrifice  every  felfijb  confutation. 

If  you  are  an  early  rifer,  you  may  find  time  for  eve- 
ry thing.  It  is  amazing  how  much  is  gained  by  lop-* 
ping  oft  an  hour  or  two,  from  indulgence  in  the  morn- 


YOUNG     LADY.  23 

ing.  Nor  is  the  mere  faving  of  time  the  only  advan- 
tage. Our  fpirits  are  more  lively,  and  our  faculties  are 
more  awake. 

I  do  not  know  a  practice  which  I  fhould  more  re- 
commend, whether  devotion,  health,  beauty,  or  im- 
provement of  the  mind,  were  the  objects  in  view. 
How  cheetfui  and  how  animated  are  the  medita- 
tions of  the  morning  !  What  a  delightful  bloom  flumes 
into  the  cheeks  from  its  balmy  exhalations  !  What  an 
unfpeakable  cheerfulnefs  glides  into  the  foul,  from 
hearing  the  devotional  matins  of  the  lark,  and  from 
beholding  the  new-born  fcenery  of  nature  !  How  ne- 
ceffary  is  fuch  a  regimen  to  preferve  that  fweetnefs  of 
complexion,  and  of  breath,  which  are  the  very  efTence 
and  perfume  of  beauty  !  When  people  think  of  ac- 
counting to  God  for  the  talents  they  have  received? 
they  overlook  the  hours,  which  are  loft  in  morning 
(loth,  and  unreafonable  indulgence. 

I  have  inured  myfelf,  for  many  years,  to  this  ha- 
bit of  early  rifing.  In  the  fpring  months  of  April 
and  May,  particularly,  I  grudge  every  moment  that  is 
wafted,  after  five.  I  confider  it  as  a  rude  neglect  to  all 
thofe  fweets,  which  opened  to  falute  me.  And  I  al- 
ways find  fo  much  more  deducted  from  the  firmnefs 
of  my  health,  and  the  vigour  of  my  understanding. 


1 


LETTER       XL 


HAVE,  indeed,  as  you  fay,  frequently  dwelt  with 
pkafure,  on  Mifs  Louifa  ■ ,  and  do  think  her  a 


24  LETTERS   to  a 

charming  woman.  She  always  ftruck  me  as  pofleffing; 
in  a  funerior  degree,  thofe  qualities,  which  conftitute 
the  graceful  and  attractive •,  and,  therefore,  as  a  very  pro- 
per pattern  to  all  young  people  :  Not  that  I  think  .a 
fervile  imitation  of  any  original,  however  excellent, 
would  render  another  pleating.  Nature  no  more  in- 
tended any  two  perfons  to  have  precifely  the  fame  man- 
ner, than  the  fame  eyes,  or  features,  or  complexion. — 
But  mil  a  familiar  intimacy  with  fuch  a  woman  muft 
bfenfihly  communicate  feme  traits  of  refemblance, 
which,  by  incorporating  with  the  general  mafs  of  a 
character,  will  form  a  beautiful  and  confident  whole. 

Though  I  have  always  admired  her  only  in  thegrefs, 
and  was  charmed,  without  confidering  the  conftituent 
principles  of  her  excellence,  I  will,  as  you  requeft  it, 
endeavour  to  analyse  and  trace  them  to. their  fource. 

Her  perfon  is  rather  genteel^  than  beautiful,  fo  ".that 
fhe  is  more  indebted  to  herfelf,  than  to  nature,  for  her 
attractions  :  And  a  wonderful  energy  indeed  they 
have  :  For  I  have  often  ken  this  girl  ileal  the  notice 
of  the  whole  company,  from  others  cf  her  fex,  who 
were  infinitely  more  diftingui fried  by  the  beauty  of  their 
perfons,  as  well  as  the  advantage  of  birth  and  fortune. 

The  grounS-zuork  of  all  her  charms  is  (what  I  can- 
not call  by  a  better  name,  than  that  of)  fimplicity  ;  an 
artlefs,  undeligning,  un/iudied  manner,  flowing  from  an 
innocent  and  virtuous  heart,  which  never  feeks  conceal- 
men!,  as  having,  indeed,  nothing  to  conceal.  Louifa  ne- 
ver affecTts  to  be  any  thing,  but. what  fhe  is.  She  does 
not  exalt  herfelf  above  meafure,  nor  ever  ridiculoufly 
degrades  herfelf,  in  order  to  be  exalted.     ,#er  geftures, 


YOUNG      LADY.  25 

attitude,  voice,  pronunciation,  are  all  under  the  imme- 
diate impreflion  and  guidance  of  nature.  Louifa  ex- 
preffes  an  innocent  pleafure,  becaufe  d\c  feels  it,  in  the 
company  of  feniible  and  agreeable  men,  and  yet  never 
feeks  it  with  an  improper  avidity.  She  never  ha- 
rangues upon,  or  vaunts  ifttperidt  lenfibility,  but  fre- 
quently difplays  no  inconfiderable  fhare  of  it,  by  in-VG~ 
luntary  emotions.  She  never,  in  any  refpect,  affects 
connexions,  appearance,  or  any  thing  above  her  fortune, 
nor  endeavors  to  lhine,  at  the  expenfe  of  others. 

This,  though  very  imperfectly  defcribed,  is,  accord- 
ing to  my-idea,  the-firft  excellence  in  the  character  of 
this  lady.  It  is  the  very  reverfe  of  that  abfurd  affecta- 
tion, which,  by  affuming  a  thoufand  fanciful  (napoo, 
renders  graces  unlovely,  and  even  -beauty  difgufting. 
Louifa  charms  every  perfon,  becaufe  (he  is  always  ami- 
able and  obliging,  without  fludyhig  to  charm.  Her 
face-is  always  welcome  in  company,  though  ftie  throws 
no  artificial  lightning  into  her  eyes,  foftnefs  into  her 
features,  nor  tifping  into  her  articulation. 

The  common  fyjlematic  education  of  girls  is  unfa- 
vourable to  this  fimplicity.  The  tendency  of  rfioderk 
culture,  is,  toraife  art  upon  the  ruins  of  nature,  inieh 
a  method  would  not  fucceed  in  any  thin?  efj},  and  how 
fhouW  it -in  the  treatment  of  women  ?  Jf  there  be  one 
object  in  the  world,  more  difgufting-than  all  others,  it 
is  a  girl  whom  nature  formed  to  be  innocent  awl  art- 
lefs,  reducing  affectation  and  difguife  to  zfifrm. 

It  is  with  fimplicity  of  manner,  as  it  is  with  eafe  of 
ftyle  in  a  writer.     When  we  read  his  works,  it  appears 

C 


LETTERS    to    a 

the  moft  tiff  attainment  imaginable  ;  but,  in  fact,  no- 
thing is  to  uncommon,  either  in  conduct  or  in  writings. — 
And  the  reafon  mud  be,  that,  inftead  of  attending  to 
the  guidance  of  nature,  people  make  an  extraordinary 
effort  to  be  fomething  great,  or  fuperior,  and  uncom- 
mon. Simplicity  may  be  ft) led,  theeafy  and  the  grace- 
ful negligence  of  conduct,  yet,  as  in  drefs,  it  charms 
more  than  the  mod  elaborate  ornaments. 

Through  all  the  wonderful  works  of  God,  there  is  a 
majeftic  fimplicity.  Nature  knows  no  affiliation. — 
Her  profpefts,  hills,  vallies,  alcoves,  grottos,  are  all  un- 
iludied  ;  her  magnificence  is  wild  and  artlefs.  There 
is  a  fimplicity  of  defign  and  effect  in  all  her  wonders, 
in  the  conftruclion  and  revolution  of  planets,  in  the 
How  and  ebbing  of  the  tides,  and  in  the  vomiting  of 
immenfe  volcanos.  The  carnation  never  aims  at  the 
ftately  magnificence  of  the  oftentatious  hoary  oak. — 
Every  rofe  is  content  with  its  own  natural  hues  ando- 
dours  ;  and  affects  not  the  elegant  fweetnefs  of  the 
Refeda  (minionette). 

Nature  is  the  ftandard.  of  perfection*  Every  charac- 
ter, and  every  art,  is  only  fo  far  finished,  as  it  approaches 
to  her  likenefs.  No  paintings  are  beautiful,  without 
this  ground-work  of  fimplicity.  It  charms  in  a  Cor- 
reggio.  It  was  the  excellence  of  a  Raphael.  It  lives 
in  the  exquifite  touches  of  a  Reynolds. 

The  beauty  of  all  writing  is  founded  in  fimplicity. 
It  was  with  Homer,  Virgil  and  Milton,  when  they 
fetched  aut  their  inimitable  poems.  Of  Shakefpeare 
it  was  the  very  foul.     Statuaries,  fculptors,  architects, 


YOUNG     LADY,  27 

have  only  gained  an  cxtcnfive  reputation,  in  proportion 
as  they  have  (tudied  this  divine  fimplicity. 

No  woman  can  be  graceful  without  it.  It  will  go 
further,  in  the  art  of  pleafing,  without  any  accomplifh- 
ments,  than  all  the  accomplifhments  will  go,  without 
it. 


LETTER       X. 

jr\NOTHER  ftriking  quality  in  Louifa,  is  her  con- 
usant cheerfulmfs.  Though  few  women  in  the  world 
are  more  ferious  or  thoughtfvil,  where  a r.y /?//>/ duties 
are  voncerned  ;  where  the  health,  peace,  comfort,  enr- 
venience  of  her  friends  and  parents,  or  any  donufltt  at- 
tentions are  at  Make ;  and  though  me  is  pofil-fTed  of 
fuch  an  exquifite  fenfibility,  as  is  apt  to  produce  an  un- 
evennefs  of  fpirits,  yet,  whenever  I  fee  this  lovely  girl, 
file  always  beguiles  mc  into  a  temporary  chccrfulnefs, 
by  the  force  of  her  own.  This  gaiety  of  heart,  e- 
qually  removed  from  a  thoughtlefs  levity  or  a  moping 
gloom,  is  a  moft  defirable  quality  in  women.  Men  are 
perplexed  with  various  anxieties  of  bufinefs  and  ambi- 
tion, and  are  naturally  more  thoughtful,  profound  and 
melancholy  ;  women  certainly  were  formed  to  foothi 
audio  enliven.  It  is  one  of  the  greateli  bleifings  we  de- 

C2 


23  LETTERS    to   a 

rive  from  their  fociety,  and  from  the  moil  facred  of  all 
connexions. 

Cheerfulnefs  (faith  the  wife  man)  doethgocd,  like  a. 
medicine.  It  has  ?  wonderful  effecT:  on  all  the  finer 
organs  of  the  body.  If  it  was  not  for  little  innocent 
fallics  of  this  kind,  it  would  be  impoflible  to  bear  fe- 
vere  application*  The  year  would  be  infupportable, 
if  it  was  wholly  compofed  of  the  dark  and  gloomy 
days  of  November. 

There  are  many  unavoidable  ills,  fickncrTes  and  mis- 
fortunes in  human  life,  which  will  come,  uncalled^  to 
deject  our  fpirits,  and  poifon  our  repofe  j  but  we  fliould 
not.  anticipate  them  by  gloomy  apprehenfions,  nor  ever 
fiuTer  an  uimeceflary  melancholy  to  fit  upon  our  looks. 
It  is  the  trueft  policy  to  be  innocently  gay  and  cheerful, 
while  we  can.  It  forbids  the  approach  of  wrinkles, 
and  adds  many  years  to  the  little  fleeting  fpan  of  hu- 
man life.  Some  pieiifis  have  encouraged  gloom,  by 
their  erroneous  notions  of  the  Deity,  and  of  chriftian 
felf-denial  :  But  I  mould  ilrongly  fufpeel:  their  good- 
refs,  or  their  judgment.  If  any  thing  can  make  a 
perfon  truly  cheerful,  it  mould  be  a  goadconfeience.— 
And  true  religion  is  doubly  charming,  when  it  wears  a 
fmile* 

A  melancholy  countenance  is,  by  no  means,  feminine. 
It  is  as  remote  from  the  true  point  of  gracefulnefs,  in 
the  fex,  ai  ill-natured  wit,  or  ironical  pertnefs. 


YOUNG      LADY,  29 

LETTER      XL 


T 


HOUGH  Louifa  is  the  mod  remote  from  prude- 
ry, of  any  woman  I  know,  eafy  and  acceflible  to  the 
other  fex,  and  cheerful,  lively  and  unconflramed,  in  her 
converfation  with  them,  yet  m£  has  really  fo  great  a 
mare  of  true  female  delicacy,  that  the  mod  licentious 
man  living  would  not  dare  to  ufe  a  double  entendre,  in 
her  company,  or  give  the  converfation  an  improper 
turn.  Nor  is  it,  that  (he  has  reduced  rules  of  propri- 
ety to  a  fyflem.  She  has  really  a  native  feeling,  which 
vibrates  to  the  moft:  diftant  touch  of  what  is  proper 
and  becoming,  and  would  tremble,  "like  the  fenfitive 
plant,  where  any  thing,  that  could  ftain  the  deJicacy  of 
her  mindy  was  conveyed  in  the  moft  dijlant  allunon. 

Fafhionable  manners  have  been  long  attempting  to 
banifh  delicacy,  as  a  fort  of  incumhrance  \  but  no  wo- 
man will  ever  long  be  lovely,  without  it.  Let  France 
or  Italy  do  what  they  will,  it  is  that  facred  fence,  which 
is  never  broken  down,  without  melancholy  confluen- 
ces.   Delicacy  is  a  very  general  and  compfeh'enfive  qunli- 

.  It  extends  to  every  thing,  where  woman  is  con- 
cerned. Converfation,  books,  pictures,  attitude,  gef- 
ture,  pronunciation,  mould  all  be  under  its  falutary  re- 
ftraints.  If  a  girl  ever  lofes  it,  farewell,  a  long  fare- 
well to  all  her  greatnefs  !  If  this  "  fait  have  loft  its  fa- 
vour, wherewith  (hall  it  be  feafoned  ?" 

c3 


33  LETTERS    to    a 

How  unfit  are  many  parents  to  educate  a  daughter ! 
What  injudicious  pleafantries  do  they  fometimes  ufe, 
even  in  their  prefence  !  A  girl  mould  hear,  (he  mould 
fee  nothing  that  can  call  forth  a  blufh,  or  even  ftain  the 
purity  of  her  mind.. 

Another  diflinguijhing  grace  of  Louifa,  h^fftnefs.  She 
is  (what  nature  intended  her  to  be)  wholly  a  woman. — 
She  has  a  quality,  that  is  the  direct  oppofite  to  manli- 
nefs  and  vigour.  Her  voice  is  gentle  j  her  pronuncia- 
tion delicate  ;  her  paffions  are  never  fuffered  to  be  boi- 
flerous  ;  (he  never  talks  politics ;  me  never  foams  with 
anger  j  /he  is  feldom  C^cn  in  any  mafculine  amufements  ; 
ihe  does  not  practice  archery.  I  will  venture  to  pro- 
phefy,  that  me  will  never  canvafs  for  votes  at  an  electi- 
on. I  never  faw  her  in  an  unfeminine  drefs,  or  her  fea- 
tures difcompofed  with  play.  She  really  trembles  with 
the  apprehenfion  of  danger.  She  feels,  unaffeiledly,  for 
every  perfon  expofed  to  it.  A  friend,  leaving  her  fa.- 
ther's  hcufe,  only  for  a  fhort  time,  calls  forth  her  con- 
cern. The  farewel  tear  ftands  big  in  its  tranfparent 
fluice.  And  whenever  he  returns,  the  eafy,  undijfcm- 
lled  fmile  teftifies  her  joy.  Shedifplays  more  fympa- 
thy  for  the  indjfpofiucn  of  a  fervant,  than  fome  do  for 
the  death  of  their  nsarefl:  friends. 

Of  all  the  women  I  ever  faw,. Louifa  has  the  mr*!r. 
univerfal  and  indifcriminate  affability.  She  never  meets 
any  poor  perfons  in  her  neighbourhood,  without  en- 
tering into  a  very  minute  enquiry,  about  the  health  of 
then  children,  family  and  friends  ;  and  the  villagers 


YOU  N  G     LADY.  31 

revere  her.  They  know  that  (he  is  conftantly  planning 
for  them  fome  aiMance  and  relief. 

Little  minds  endeavour  to  fupport  a  confequence  by 
diftance  and  hauteur.  But  this  is  a  miitake.  True  dig- 
nity arifes  from  condefcenfion,  and  is  fupported  by  no- 
ble anions. 

Supercilioufnefs  is  ahnoft  a  certain  mark'  of  low 
birth,  and  ill-breeding.  People,  who  have  juft  emer- 
ged into  greatnefr,  think  it  neceflary  to  maintain  their 
fuperiority,  by  a  proud  look,  and  an  high  (iomach. — 
The  confequence  is,  general  hatred  and  contempt. 

In  hCt^  this  proud,  high-bearing  referve  is  a  very 
great  trime.  Every  perfon,  that  bears  the  image  of 'his 
Maker,  is  entitled  to  our  attentions,  and  indeed  our 
benevolence.  Inferiority  is,  of  itfelf,  a  fufficient  bur- 
den, without  our  endeavouring  to  aggravate  it  by  ill- 
nature  or  neglect. 

I  have  often  heard  Louifa  dwell,  with  rapture,  on 
the  entertainment  and  edification  fhe  has  received  in 
many  cottages,  when  (he  has  been  carrying  cloathlng, 
cordials,  or  money,  to  the  diftrerTed  inhabitants  ;  and 
tell  me  which  is  the  more  digniiied  character  ?  a  wo- 
man, who  would  turn  from  her  poor  neighbours  witli 
difdain,  or  one,  who,. for  her  kindnefs  and  attention  to 
them,  is  praifed,  as  often  as  her  name  is  mentioned, 
and  followed,  whitherfoever  file  moveth,  wiih  their 
tears  and  with  their  bleflings  ? 

There  is  not  a  greater  charm  in  any  character,  than 
fuch  a  condefcenfion.  A  woman,  thus  forgetting  ail  her 
tliftinclions,  to  fympathize  with  the  unfortunate,  mult 


32  LETTERS    to    a 

captivate  every  man,  who  has  either  a  Tingle  grain  of 
piety  or  underftanding.  Even  the  plained  face 
wouJd  be  forgotten  in  fuch  real  and  unaffected  good- 
nefs. 

T'he  manner  of  Louifa  finijkes  her  character.  It  is 
a  beautiful  bordering  to  all  her  graces,  and  her  virtues. 
It  is  impoflible  for  me  to  define  (what  I  mean  by) 
manner  ;  yet  no  one  can  be  half  an  hour  in  the  com- 
pany of  this  lady,  without  feeling  its  aftonifhing  ef- 
fects. Though  (he  frequently  fays  nothing,  but  what 
might  have  dropped  from  any  other  perfon,  yet  in  her 
it  becomes  fovery  interesting,  as  to  command  attention, 
and  even  to  delight.  She  embellifhes,  in  a  wonderful 
manner,  a  look,  a  gefture,  an  attitude;  nay,  even  filence 
itielf.  She  confers  a  grace  on  the  molt  common  civility. 
She  heightens  every  favour  by  the  mode  of  doing  it, 
and  (he  obliges,  aim  oft,  by  refufaL 

The  beft  definition  I  can  give  of  this  quality  muft 
be  imperfect.  1  mould  call  it,  however,  a  quick  dif- 
cernment  of  what  is  graceful,  directed  by  an  exquifite 
fenfibility,  and  faying,  in  an  inftant,  to  airs,  geftures, 
features,  looks,  come  with  correfponding  energy,  and 
they  "  come."  No  rules  can  be  laid  down  for  its  at- 
tainment. Nature  muft  have  been  propitious,  where 
it  is  feen  in  any  high  perfection. 

Manner  is  more  engaging,  than  the  moft  rimmed 
beauty.  The  latter  is  an  agreeable  profpe£t,  that  foon 
grows  infipid,  and  fatigues  by  uniformity.  The  firit  is 
a  continual  change  of  country,  with  landfcapes  ever 
new,  interesting  and  delicious. 


Y  OUNG     LADY.  33 

LETTER      XII. 


HE  father  of  Louifa,  is  one  of  the  moft  worthy 
clergymen  I  ever  knew,  and  has  long  lived  in  my  ef- 
teem.  He  married,  early  in  life,  a  woman  of  confider- 
able  beauty  and  fortune,  but  infinitely  more  diftin- 
guifhed  by  her  piety  and  under/landing.  He  has  learn- 
ing and  goodnefs  enough  to  have  graced  the  higheft 
fVations  in  the  church  ;  but  he  fuffers  not  ambition  to 
difturb  his  tranquility,  and  prefers  the  filent  pleafures 
of  retirement,  to  all  the  pomp  and  fplendor  of  a 
court.  He  is  rector  of  a  fmall  parifh  in  the  county  of 
— ,  and  has  fuch  a  paftoral  tendernefs  and  affecti- 
on for  his  flock,  that  I  do  not  think  he  would  be 
tempted  to  leave  them  for  any  temporal  confiderations 
whatfoever.  "  I  would  not  refign  (he  has  frequently 
M  faid  to  me)  the  fragrant  fhrubs  and  plants  that  en- 
Ci  circle  this  little  cot,  for  the  mod  enviable  promotu 
41  ons ;  nor  mould  the  tumults  and  anxieties  of  the 
4t  higheft  ftation,  deprive  me  of  thofe  domeflic  endear- 
"  ments,  which,  after  all  its  bewitching  gaiety  and  buf- 
"  tie,  are  the  only  real  fweetners  of  life.  What  could 
"  equal  the  heart-felt  joys  I  derive  from  the  fond  and 
<c  ever  growing  attachment  of  my  Harriet,  or  the  plea- 
H  fure  of  watching  the  continually  expanding  graces 
"  and  improvements  of  my  lovely  girl?" 

It  has,  long,  been  my  private  opinion,  that  a  good 
ckrgyman  is  more  likely  to  have  a  dutiful  and  affecti- 
onate family,  than  a  perfon  of  almoft  any  other  cha- 


34  LETTERS    to    a 

railer.  And  I  sm  not  a  little  Confirmed  in  it  by  the 
inirance  before  us. 

Whoever  fees  this  happy  pair,  is  delighted  with  that 
mutual  efteem  and  fondnefs,  which  revolving  years 
have  not  been  able  to  diminish,  but  only  to  mature ; 
and  mud  form  a  very  high  idea  of  that  union,  which 
the  licentious  only  endeavour  to  ridicule,  becaufe  they 
have  not  tafte  and  innocence  enough  for  its  unpurchafed 
and  refined  fvveets.  I  have  lately  fpent  a  few  days 
with  this  amiable  group,  and  returned  quite  difgufted 
with  my  own  fituation.  It  appeared  uncommonly^- 
litary  and  infipid.  I  began  to  blame,  my  books,  as  the 
obftacle  of  my  felicity,  and  toafkphilofophy  and  cold- 
hearted  prudence,  what  joy  they  had  to  boaft,  if  com- 
pared with  thefe  natural  tranfports  of  the  foul. 

Fortunately  for  my  friend,  a  comfortable^  paterrM 
fortune,  in  conjunction  with  that  which  he  received 
with  his  lady,  has  placed  him  in  very  eafy,  and  rather 
affluent  circumftances.  Providence  has  crowned  their 
virtuous  friendship  only  with  Louifa  ;  but,  indeed,  in 
her  alone,  has  rained  down  aprofujion  of  its  bleflings. 
In  her,  therefore,  all  their  cares  and  anxieties  concen- 
ter ;  and  her  education,  you  may  well  fuppofe,  has  not 
been  neglected. 

Her  parents  are  both  averfe  to  boarding  fchools,  as 
infpiring  a  young  perfon  with  improper  notions,  ;nd 
undermining  the  tafte  for  pure  fimplicity  and  domeftic 
worth.  She  has,  therefore,  been  always  kept  under 
their  own  immediate  infpe&ion  ;  but  her  hours  are  as 
ftri&Jy  arranged,  as  they  could  have  been  at  any  fchool, 


YOUNG      LADY.  35 

into  a  regular  plan  of  employment.  She  has  her  al- 
lotted intervals  for  domeitic  duties,  needle-work,  read- 
ing, correfpondence,  exercife  and  recreation  -,  and  every 
hour  knows  its  particular  engagement. 

She  opens  every  morning,  and  clofes  every  day,  with 
an  hymn  of  praife  to  her  bountiful  Creator,  which  is 
chanted  to  the  harpfichord,  with  fo  fweet  a  voice,  as  I 
cannot,  even  at  this  diftance  of  time,  recollect  with- 
out emotion. 

If  you  faw  the  beautiful  fancy-work,  which  has  been 
wrought  by  this  girl,  in  carpets,  bafkets  of  flowers, 
embroidery,  &c.  you  would  imagine,  that  fhe  could 
have  but  little  leifure  for  the  improvement  of  her  un- 
derfta  ding.  But  a  Ariel:  (economy  of  time,  an  invari- 
able adherence  to  order,  and  an  habit  of  early  rifing  have 
,  enabled  her  to  do  wonders.  Her  father  fuperintends 
that  part  of  her  education,  which  is  connected  with 
books;  and  has  fuch  an  happy  method  of  conveying 
his  idea,  as  wonderfully  mixes  inftruclion  withdelieht. 

Natural  hiftory  and  botany,  on  fine  days,  they  ftu- 
dy  in  x\\t  fields  \  and  when  the  weather  is  lefs  favour- 
able, fhe  has  fuch  a  collection  of  animals,  infects,  and 
other  cunofities,  as  would  adorn  the  mufeum  of  a  con- 
noiflfeur.  This  is  called  her  grotto  ;  and  is  placed  in 
a  fhady  part  of  the  garden,  over-arched  with  an  alcove 
of  entwined  elms. 

Hiftory,  in  the  hands  of  her  able  inftru&or,  becomes 
a  fund  of  unfpeakable  improvement.  When  events 
are  recorded,  fhe  is  afked,  what  caufes  £ave  them  birth  ; 
what  tnjlruments  were  made  ufe  of  for.  their  comple- 


36  LETTERS   to    a 

tion,  and  what  traces  (he  can  difcover,  of  a  wonderful 
and  an  all-wife  Providence,  governing  the  whole  ? 

Geography  and  chronology,  are  inleparable  guides 
confulted  on  the  occafion  ;  and,  when  characters  are 
defcribed,  ihe  is  interrogated  concerning  the  praife- 
worthy  or  the  reprehenjible  in  them  ;  where  the  hiltorian 
has  been  too  fparing  of  his  praife,  or  extolled  beyond 
the  bounds  of  reafon  and  of  truth.  Her  fentiments, 
on  all  thefe  fubjects,  are  given,  in  her  own  language, 
upon  paper  ;  and  afterwards  corrected  by  the  mature 
judgment  and  critical  tafte  of  her  incomparable  tutor. 

On  Sunday s^  (he  prepares  a  concife  abridgment  of 
the  fermon,  which  undergoes  the  feme  rigid  examina- 
tion ;  and  (lie  has  a  little  volume,  filled  with  fuch  fa- 
cred  reflections,  as  would  not  dilhonour  the  under- 
standing, or  the  repofitory  of  a  profefled  divine. 

You  would  fuppofe,  from  this  account,  that  Louifa 
would  appear  (what  the  world  callsj  a  very  Uarncd 
'woman*  No  fuch  thing.  Jn  a  mixed  company,  you 
will  not  difcern  that  me  poiTeffcd  any  fuperior  know- 
ledge or  advantage  over  her  fex,  except  in  an  elegant 
mode  of  expr.edion.  She  enters  into  other  people's 
Views,  feelings,  interefts  and  concerns,  with  a  polite- 
nefs  that  very  few  pofTefs  ;  and  converfes  with  all  her 
country  neighbours^  on  fuch  eafy  terms,  as  banifh  eve- 
ry unpleafant  feeling  of  diftance  or  reftraint. 

The  heart  of  this  lovely  girl  is,  all  over,  Sympathy 
and  joftnefs.  The  big  tear  trembles  in  her  eye  on  eve- 
ry trying  occafion  ;  and,  in  her  clofet,  along  with  a 
fmall,  but  well-chofen  collection  of  books,  (he  has  a 
little  box,  with  this  infeription,  u  Sacred  to  the  poor." 


YOUNG      LADY, 


37 


Into  tbit,  me  puts,  every  night,  before  fhe  fleeps,  fome- 
thing  to  be  a  fund  for  merit  and  diftrefs.  She  enriches 
it  with  the  favings  fhe  has  made,  by  retrenching  Tome 
expenfive  articles  of  drefs  or  pleafurc.  It  is  filled  with 
money,  that  others  would  have  fpent  on  plays,  con- 
certs or  afiemblies  j  and  I  will  venture  to  fay,  that  me 
has  infinitely  fweeter  mufic  in  her  heart,  and  a  more 
innocent,  fparkling  brilliance  in  her  eyes,  than  any  of 
the  moft  admired  frequenters  of  thefegay  amufements, 


LETTER      XIII, 


F 


ROM  Louifa's  Ariel  confinement,  and  fyflanalk 
life,  you  would  conclude,  perhaps,  that  (lie  had  almoft 
contracted  a  difrefijfh  for  books.  But,  indeed,  it  is  far 
otherwife  ;  her  ftudies  are  her plenfure  ;  they  are  foju- 
dicioufly  mixed  with  entertainment,  and  fo  interwoven, 
as  it  were,  with  the  common  cafual  occurrences  of  the 
day,  that  fhe  confiders  them  more  as  an  a??iufcrnent  than 
a  bufincfi.  Her  private  moments,  when  fhe  is  left  to 
her  own  choice,  are  not  unfrequently  beguiled  with  the 
very  fame  employments,  which  had  engrofTed  the  other 
parts  of  the  day. 

The  garden  is  the  fcene  where  fhe  indulges  all  the 
luxury  of  her  tafte;    and  her  rambles  into  it  are  as 
frequent  as  the  great  variety  of  her  avocations  will  per- 
D 


38  ,    LETTERS     to   a 

mjt.  One  day,  I  found  her  in  this  retirement.  The 
place  was  very  happily  fancied  :  Large  clumps  of  trees, 
on  both  fides,  with  their  intervening  foliage,  had  ren- 
dered it  impervious  to  any  human  eye.  Nature  had 
wantoned  with  particular  luxuriance.  A  clear,  tran- 
fparent  fpring  murmured  through  the  valley.  And  it 
was  fenced,  on  both  iides,  with  a  very  lofty  mcund, 
cafl  up  as  on  purpofe,  and  planted  with  perennial 
ihrubs.  A  ihady  arbour,  in  the  middle,  catching 
through  a  beautiful  vifta,  the  fpire  of  the  village  church, 
invited  to  meditation  and  to  repofe.  She  was  reclined 
here  rather  in  a  penfive  attitude,  reading  Burke's  Ef- 
fays  on  the  Beautiful  and  Sublime  ;  tnd  to  me  fhe  ap- 
peared, I  muft  confefs,  more  enchanting,  more  beauti- 
ful and  more  fublime,  than  the  admired  work  of  fiat 
well  known  and  admired  author. 

On  another  occafion,  her  mother  being  much  indif- 
pofed,  fhe  had  ftolen  from  the  domeilic  circle,  to  in- 
dul<^,  at  leifure,  a  folitary  grief.  The  book  fhe  held 
in  her  hands,  was  Lord  Lyttleton's  Dialogues  of  the 
Dead.  The  foft  melancholy  vifibLe  in  her  counte- 
nance, the  very  apparent  agitation  of  her  fpirits,  and 
the  grief,  burfting  through  her  animated  eyes,  formed 
a  very  interefcing  whole  ;  whilft  her  obfervauons  on  a 
future  life,  on  the  comfort  (he  derived  from  the  hope 
of  converfing  with  her  friends  after  death  ;  on  the  pro- 
bable nature  and  happinefs  of  heaven,  and  the  perma- 
nency of  virtuous  friendship  and  affection,  would  not 
have  difgraced  any  divine  or  philofopher  of  the  age. 


Y  O  U  N  G      L  A  D  Y.  39 

A  third  time  of  her  elopement,  Hie  was  reading  the 
only  novel  which  fhe  permits  herfelf  to  read,  that  of  Sir 
Charles  Grandifon.  Tears,  like  an  April  ihower,  tin- 
ged with  the  fun,  were  mingled  with  her  joy. 

The  book  was  opened,  where  the  once-amiable  Har- 
riet Byron  is  now  Lady  Grandifon  ;  where  the  painful 
fufpenfe  of  her  virtuous,  though  premature,  attach- 
ment, is  crowned  by  an  eternal  union  with  its  object," 
and  fhe  is  kneeling  to  her  ever- venerable  grand-mother, 
to  implore  a  blefling.  "  Heavens  1"  (fa id  fhe)  "what 
<c  an  exquifite  and  inimitable  painter  was  Richardfon  ! 
11  How  overwhelmed  with  admiration,  efteem  and 
<c  felf-annihilation  do  I  always  feel  myfelf,  when  I 
"  read  the  defcription  of  his  Harriet  Byron.  So  much 
**  piety,  yet  fo  much  cheerfulnefs  ;  fuch  filial  duty, 
"  tendernefs,  affection,  fo  exquifite  a  fenfibility  ;  fo 
"  deep  and  glowing  a  paflion,  conduced  with  fo  much 
"  delicacy  ;  fuch  beauty  of  perfon,  loft  in  fo  much 
"  greater  fweetnefs  of  temper,  and  fuch  a  winning  can- 
"  dor  and  opennefs  of  heart,  complete  my  idea  of  eve- 
<c  ry  thing  that  is  noble  and  amiable  in  woman. 

u  I  never  read  this  writer,  without  weeping.  He 
"  had  an  amazing  talent  for  the  pathetic  and  defcrip- 
"  tive.  He  opens  all  the  fluiccs  of  tendernefs,  and 
"  tears  flow  down  our  cheeks,  like  a  river.  And  (what 
"  is  moil  of  all)  I  never  open  his  book,  without  feel- 
"  ing  my  fentiments  elevated  and  fublimed,  and  my 
"  heart  more  alive  to  all  the  fuggeftions  of  piety  and 
"  virtue.  If  all  novels  had  been  written  on  fuch  a 
D2 


40 


LETTERS   to 


"  plan,  they  would,  doubtlefs,  have  been  very  ex.ee! - 
"  lent  vehicles  of  wifdom  and  goodnefs." 

The  laji  time  I  broke  in  upon  Louifa's  retirement, 
{he  was  furrounded  with  authors.  She  feetned  bent 
upon  indulging  her  elegant  tafte,  in  all  its  extrava- 
gance. 

Addifon's  papers  on  the  Pleafures  of  Imagination  ; 
feveral  pieces  of  Mifs  Seward:  Mafon's  Englifh  Gar- 
den ;  Ariofto,  with  Hoole's  Tranflation,  and  Webb's. 
Enquiry  into  the  Beauties  of  Painting,  together  witlv 
a  Collection  of  Poems,  lay,  in  promifcuous  dignitv, 
befide  her.  She  has  accuftomed  herfeif  to  enter  into 
a  fort  of  common-place-book,  paiTages,  which  Hie 
thinks,  particularly  finking.  I  am  happy  in  being  a- 
ble  to  give  you,  a  little  fpecimen  of  her  choice,  for  flie 
indulged  me  with  a  fight  of  the  valuable  manuicript. 

The  firft  poetical  rofe  me  had  plucked,  was  from 
the  Italian  poet,  Ariofto.  It  was  his  beautiful  picture 
of  Alcina,  the  enchantrefs.  I  will  tranferibe  a  few  of 
the  lines,  and  the  tranflation,  though  a  modeft  blufh 
linged  her  cheeks,  whilft  I  read  the  defcription. 

Dl  perfona  era  tanto  ben  formata, 
Quanlo  me  finger  fan  pittQri  induftri. 
Con  bionji  chioma  lunga  eu  anodata  : 
OfO  non  e,  chc  piu  rifplenda  e  luflri. 
Spargtafi  per  la  giunGia  delicata. 
Milto  color  dl  rofe,  e  di  liguftri. 

Htr  matchlefs  perfon  ev'ry  charm  combinNi, 
Framed  in  th'  idea  of  a  painter's  mind. 
Bound  in  a  knot,  behind  her  ringlets  roil'd 
Down  her  fair  neck,  and  flione  U^f  waving  gojd.j. 


YOUNG   JL  A  D  Y.  4; 

Her  blooming  crheekg  the  blended  tints  difclofe 

Of  lilies,  damafk'd  with  the  blulhing  role,  &|C.&c. 

From  Lord  Lyttleton's  monody  on  his  lady,  (he 
had  copied  the  following  pathetic  verfes.  Whilft  I 
read  them,  fine  appeared  amazingly  affected. 

O  fhades  of  Hagley,  where  is  now  your  bcaft  ?. 

Your  bright  inhabitant  is  loir  ; 

You  me  preferr'dto  all  the  gay  reforts, 

Where  female  vanity  might  wifh  to  mine, 
The  pomp  of  cities  and  the  pride  cf  courts  : 
Her  modeft  beauties  fhunn'd  the  public  eye 
To  your  fequefter'd  dales, 
And  flow'r-embroider'd  vales, 
From  an  admiring  world  fhe  chofc  to  fly. 
With  nature  there  retir'd  and  nature's  God, 

The  filent  paths  of  wifdom  trod, 
AndbanihYd  ev'ry  paflfionfrom  her  breaft, 

But  thofe,  the  gentleft  and  the  bed, 
Whofe  holy  tlames,  with  energy  divine, 
The  virtuous  heart  enliven  and  improve, 
The  conjura/  and  the  maternal  love, 


'V*Vi4 


Sweet  babes,  who,  like  the  little,  playful  fawns, 
Were  wont  to  trip  along  thofe  verdant  lawns, 
By  your  delighted  mother's  fid'", 
Who  no:v  your  infant  fteps  ihali  guide  ? 
Ah  1  where  is  now  the  hand,  whofe  tender  care 
To  ev'ry  virtue  would  have  forru'd  your  youth, 
And  ftrcw'd  wrth  flow'rs  the  thorny  ways  of  truth, 
O  lof3  beyond  repair  ! 
O  wretched  father  left  alone 
To  weep  their  dire  misfortune  and  thy  own  ! 
HoW  fhall  thy  weaki  n'd  mind,  opprefs'd  wit:. 

d  3 


L  E  ITERS     to   a 

And  drooping  o'er  thy  Lucy's  Grave 
Perform  the  duties,  that  you  doubly  owe  ! 

Now  {he,  alas  !  is  gone 
From  folly  and  from  vice,  their  helpkfs  age  to  fave? 

Mrs.  Carter's  celebrated  Ode  to  Wifdom,al ways- 
makes  one  thrill  with  a  melancholy  pleafure,  and  it 
had  furniftied  Loulfa  with  thefe  beautiful  ftanzas  :. 

Thy  breath  infpires  the  poet's  fon£, 
The  patriot's  free,  unbiafs'd  tongue, 

The  hero's  gen'rcu«  ftrife  ; 
Thine  are  retirement's  filent  joys, 
And  all  the  fweet,  endearing  ties 

Of  ftill  domeftic  life. 

No  more  to  fabled  names  confin'd 
To  thee,  fupreme,  all  perfect  mind, . 

My  thoughts  direct  theirfiight  : 
Wifdom's  thy  gift,  and  all  her  force 
From  thee  deriv'd,  unchanging  fource 

Of  intellectual  light. 

O  fend  her  fure,  her  fteady  ray 
To  regulate  mydoubtful  way 

Through  life's  perplexing  road  ; 
Themifts  of  error  to  controul, 
And,  through  its  gloom,  direct  my  foul 

To  happinefs  and  good. 

Beneath  hef  clear,  difcerning  eye 
The  vifionary  fhadows  fly 

Of  folly's  painted  (how  ; 
She  fees  through  ev'ry  fair  difguifc? 
That  all,  but  virtue's  folid  joys 

la  vanity  and  wee. 


Y  O  UNO     L  A  D  \\. 


43 


Mils  Seward's  poetical  addrefs  to  Mr.  Wright,  en- 
gaged in  taking  her  father's >pichire,  had  fupplied  her 
with  thefe  four  mofi:  interefi.ing.and  pathetic  lines ; 

O  when  his  *  urn  (hall  drink  my  falling  tear?, 
Thy  f  faithful  tints  mall  flied  a  foft  relief, 

Glow,  with  mild  luftre,  o'er  my  darken'd  yenr?,  , 
And  gild  the  gathering  fhadea  of  filial  grief. 

The  ever  graceful  and  elegant  Fontaine,  fa jutfly  ef- 
teemed  the  Correggio  of  poetry,  had  fupplied  her  with 
the  fables  of  Le  Chene  et  le  Rofeau,  La  Fille  ;  and 
from  the  theatre  Sur  /'  Education  of  the  ComtefTe  le 
Genlis,  (he  had  ftolen  the  fragrant  role  of  Salency. 

From  a  judicious  arrangement,  of  thefe  feparatc 
fweets,  fhe  had  compofed  a  very  elegant  bouquet  which 
carts  a  delicious/r^r^w^  on  her  character  and.  virtues. 

And  now,  tell  me,  what  think  you  of  Louifa  ?  If 
Ihe  was  married  to  the  firit  fovereign  of  Europe,  would 
fhe  not  be  the  richeft  jewel  in  his  crown  ? 


L    E    T    T    E    R       XIV. 


i 


WILL  now  give  you  another  picture.  It  is  that 
of  a  young  lady,  whom  I  have  lately  had  the  honour 
of  feeing,  juft  arrived  from  -xboarding-fchooL  It  is  La- 
dy Harriet .     But  I  will  not  undertake  to 

*  Her  father's.  f  Wright's. 


44 


LETTERS   to   a 


fay,  that  the  features  will  pleafe  you.     They  are  cer- 
tainly different  from  thofe  of  Louifa. 

She  was  almoft  inceffantly  practifmg  little  arts,  and 
adjufting  all  her  airs  and  graces  to  engage  admiration. 
When  (lie  fpoke,  fhe  minced  her  fyllables,  and  when 
(lie  looked^  (lie  threw  an  unnatural vivacity  into  her  eyes. 
She  is  a  fine,  blooming  girl ;  and,  if  ihe  had  not  taken 
fuch  uncommon  pains  to  pleafe,  muff  neccffarily  have 
charmed  every  beholder. 

How  long  will  it  be  before  people  learn,  that  nothing 
engages  fo  much,  as  the  eafe  of  nature  ?  An  artlefs 
/impUrity  is  the  higheft  charm.  Whatever  ftudies  admi- 
ration, raifes  difguft.  Syftem  and  conftraiht  deftroy 
tafc.     And  eafe  is  the  parent  of  all  the  graces. 

It  is  the  bufinefs  of  education  to  lop  off  fome  little 
luxuriant  boughs  from  the  tree  of  nature,  but  not  to 
ccr.ftrain  it,  that  it  cannot  vegetate,  or  give  to  every 
branch,  an  unnatural  direction.  I  mould  prefer  the 
plain,  honeft  awkwardnefs  of  a  mere  country-girl,  te 
over-a&ed  refinement. 

Though  Lady  Harriet  ■  is  not  yet  fourteen 

years  old,  fhe  has  more  than  the  airs  and  forwardnefs 
of  a  woman.  Who  can  have  taught  this  girl,  that 
rofes  are  expected  to  open  all  at  dnce,  and  not  by  de- 
grees ? 

Timidity  and  diffidence,  are  the  moft  attracting 
qualities  of  a  girl  ;  a  countenance  always  modeft  and 
undefigning, ;  a  tongue,  often  ftlent,  and  ears,  always- 
attentive. 


YOUNG      LADY.  45 

Roarding-fchools,  it  fhould  fccm,  may  be  compared 
to  hot-beds.  They  bring  fruits  and  flowers  quickly  to 
their  growth.  But  they  have  not  their  proper  eflence, 
healthinefs  or  flavour. 

The  girlijh  (late  is  fo  pleafmg,  in  itfelf,  that  we  wiih 
not  to  fee  it  exchanged,  before  its  time,  for  the  caution, 
the  artifices,  or  the  fubtil  policy  of  age. 

It  is  defirable,  that  a  girl  fhould  retain,  as  long  as 
poflible,  the  innocent  drefs,  manners,  habit  and  fenti- 
ments  of  childhood.  She  will  never  be  more  capti- 
vating when  Hie  is  a  woman.  Natural,  untortured 
ringlets,  fames,  frocks,  &c.  are  fuperior  to  all  the  la- 
boured trappings  of  fafhion.  Nature  has  given  to  e^ 
very  agey  as  well  as  to  every  fsofon  of  the  year,  its  ap~. 
propriate  charms.  We  fhould  be  greatly  difappointed,  if 
the  foft  breezes,  and  the  pleafing,  new-born  fcenery  of 
the  fpring,  were  impatient  to  diiToIve  into  the.  fu!  try 
heats  of  fummeri. 

A  forward  girl  always  alarms  me.     Indelicacy,  im-- 
prudence  and  improper  connexions  fiart  up  to  my  view. 
I  tremble  for  her  friends,  and  fee  her  hiftory,  gradually, 
unfolding  into  indifcretion.. 

Children  are  apt  enough,  of  tbemfihesy  to  afpire  into 
womanhood.  A  r  eyernefs  mould  check  this  fpirir,  anci 
nip  it  in  the  bud.  A  long  nonage,  if  I  may  fo  call  ir, 
is  favourable  to  your  fex.  During  this  period,  a  girl  is 
acquiring  faine/olid improvement.  When  fhc  fancies 
herfelf  a  woman,  company,  pleafures  and  converfation 
with  the  other  fex,  unhinge  her  mind,  and  bid  unquiet 
thoughts  take  poiTefuon  of  her  fancy. 


46  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     to    a 

I  could  difcovcr,  from  the  converfation  Of  Lady  Har- 
riet, that  (he  was  deeply  read  in  novels  and  romances. 
Her  expreffions  were  beyond  nature;  t  jrgicl  and  over- 
trained, where  (he  only  vvi/hed  to  convey  a  common- 
idea. 

A  volume  would  not  be  fufticient  to  expofe  the  dan- 
gers of  thefe  books.     They  lead  young  people  into  an 
enchanted  country,  and  open  to  their  view  an  imagina- 
ble world,   full  of  inviolable  friendships,  attachments, 
ecftacies,  accomplishments,  prodigies,  and  fuch  vifion- 
ary  joys,   as  never  will,  be  realized  in  the  coarfemf of 
common  life.     The  romantic  turn  they  create,  indif- 
pofes  for  every  thing  that  is  rational  or  fubftantial. — 
They  corrupt  all  principle. — Fortitude  they  unnerve,  - 
and  fubititute,  in  its  place,  nfickly  fenfibility,  that  can- 
not reliih  common  blefiings   or  common  things,   that  is 
continually  wounded  with   its  own  fancies,  and  even 
"  ready  to  expire  of  a  rofe,   in  aromatic  pain."     Their 
.  nt  is  but  a  fine-fpun  word  for  indelicate  emotions. 
Their  fympathy  and  friendship  are  often  but  a  fpecious, 
flimfy  covering  for  criminal  attachments.      Such  falfe, 
over-ftralned  ideas,  have  led  many  a  poor  girl  to  ruin. 
Under  the  notion  offuperior  refinement,  fimilarity  of  fouls, 
and  involuntary  friendjhip,  (he  has  gradually  been  (edu- 
ced from  the  paths  of  virtue,  to  the  commiffion  of  the 
groffelt.  crimes.     A  fine,  fplendid  idea  has  been  ufed  to 
palliate  the  dreadful  action.     Sentiment  has  triumphed 
over  the  vulgar  (hackles  of  conscience,  and  every  ioci- 
al  and  moral  obligation. 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  47 

Plays,  operas,  mafquerades,  and  all  the  other  fafhion- 
able  pleafures,  have  not  half  fo  much  danger  to  young 
people,  as  the  reading  of  thefe  books.  With  tbtm, 
the  mod:  delicate  girl  can  entertain  herfelf,  in  private, 
without  anycenfure;  and  the  poifon  operates  more 
forcibly,  becaufe  unperccived.  The  molt,  profligate 
villain,  that  was  bent  on  the  infernal  purpofe  of  redu- 
cing a  woman,  could  not  wi(h  a  fymptom  more  favor- 
able to  his  purpo'e,  than  an  imagination,  inflamed  with 
the  rhapfodies  of  novels. 

Lady  H betrayed  great  pride,  indifavowing  any 

acquaintance  with  fome  young  ladies,  at  the  fame 
fchool,  becaufe  their  parents  were  not  equal  to  her's  in 
point  of  fortune.  She  had  formed,  poor  girl  !  wrong 
notions  of  importance ;  and  they  had  not,  it  fhould 
feem,  been  properly  corrected. 

Under  the  idea  of  teaching  young  people,  what  is 
due  to  their  rank,  boarding-fchools  encourage  pride,  by 
a  fyjlerm  Whoever  confults  the  bappinejs  of  a  daugh- 
ter, lhould,  -zsfyjlemaiically,  endeavour  to  propagate  hu- 
mility. 

Alas  !  my  dear  girl,  what  have  any  of  us  to  boaft 
of  ?  What  dignity  is  there  in  an  heap  of  money,  un- 
lefs  it  be  devoted  to  charitable  actions  ?  To  be  carried 
in  ftatc,  to  eat  delicto  ujly,  or  to  deep  on  clown,  may  have 
fomething  in  it,  to  weak  mortals,  that  elevates  and 
charms  ;  but  to  an  inhabitant  of  heaven,  or  to  fupe- 
rior  fpirits,  muft  be  as  frivolous,  as  the  toils  or  little 
play  things  of  children  appear  to  us. 


4.3  LETTERS   to  a 

What  fupreme  importance  does  it  give  to  a  rational 
creature,  that  the  filk-wonn  has  fpun  for  her  a  robe  of 
elegance,  or  that  the  milliner  has  befpangled  her  with 
ornaments?  Tliefe  ornaments,  alas!  cover  only  a 
"*'  poor  worm,"  a  Tinner  !  a  creature,  fuhject.  to  innu- 
merable infirmities  and  lor  rows  !  and  after  all,  the  pea- 
cock has  more  gaudy  plumage,  and  flowers  of  the 
field  are  more  beautifully  decked  ! 

Where,  again,  is  the  dignity  of  high  birth,  unlefs  it 
leads  to  dignified  conduit  ?  And  what  are  all  thefe  dis- 
tinctions to  a  creature,  that,  any  injiunt,  may  be  Grip- 
ped of  every  thing  \  that  may  die  any  hour  \  and  mud 
be  called  to  a  very  fevere  account,  if  they  have  not 
been  religioufly  improved  ? 

If  you  are  ever  difpofed  to  be  proud,  look  forward 
to  the  moment,  which  will  bury,  along  with  you,  in 
the  du/iy  titles,  honours,  riches,  beauty,  friends,  con- 
nexions— to  the  'moment,  when  the  world  will  be 
fhri veiled  into  atoms — when  you  mull  Hand,  a  naked 
and  unprotected  criminal,  before  the  fupreme  Majefty 
of  heaven  ;  and  endeavour  to  acquire  that  univerfal 
love,  which,  for  the  fake  of  doing  a  religious  action,  is 
content  to  "become  the  fervant  of  all."  This  love 
will  be  a  fovereign  balfam  to  the  foul.  It  will  heal  a 
thoufand  diforders,  and  prevent  as  many  more. 

The  Author  of  all  wifdom  and  greatnefs,  was 
"  meek  and  lowly  in  heart."  He,  who  could  have 
commanded  kingdoms,  inhabited  a  cottage.  Humility 
is  the  diftinguijhing  badge  of  his  religion.  And,  when- 
ever you  arc  his  real  difciple,  you  will  not  exalt  your- 


YOUNG     LADY,  49 

fe\{  above  the  meaneft  creature,  but  under  an  accumu- 
lation of  all  worldly  diftinclions,  will  fmite  upon  your 
breaft  with  the  publican,  and  fay,  "  God  be  merciful 
to  me  a  finner.'? 

Happinefs  and  pride  are  abfolutely  incompatible.— 
Continual  vexations,  fanciful  flights  and  injuries  and 
provocations,  wound  thtfelfffficient  mind. 

Pride  is  contrary  to  every  thing  that  pleafes  in  a  wo- 
man. It  has  no  foftnefs,  no  benignity,  no  eafe.  The 
apoftle  has  juftly  called  "  a  meek  and  quiet  fpirit,  an 
ornament"  It  is  the  robe,  in  which  a  woman  (hould 
always  be  dreffe'd,  who  willies  to  fecure  a  permanent 
cittern. 


LETTER      XV, 

MY  DEAR  LUCY, 


I 


GAVE  you  a  defcription  of  the  true  delicacy  of 
Louila.  I  have  lately  i^tw  it  over-acted  by  another  per^ 
fon,  in  fuch  a  manner  as  to  difguft  me  beyond  expref- 
fion.  The  virtues  and  graces  have  all  their  limits. — 
If  pufhed  further,  they  degenerate  into  the  very  oppo- 
fite  defers.  The  lady,  who  hurt  my  feelings,  had 
not  confulered  this  maxim  :  Or  me  had  not  tafte  and 
knk  enough  to  apply  it.  Her  delicacy  was  abfolutely 
prudery  and  affectation, 

^  E 


5*  LETTERS    to   a 

True  delicacy  is  nothing  more  than  the  refinement 
of  tnodejly.  It  is  the  fenfitive  plant  of  woman,  which 
gives  the  quickeft  notice  of  approaching  danger,  and 
trembles  at  the  bare  apprehenfon  of  any  thing  which 
can  injure  her  honor,  her  fafety  or  repoie.  So  amiable 
in  itfclf,  one  cannot  wonder,  that  every  female  wifhes 
to  be  thought  in  pofTeffion  of  it.  But  it  is  a  my  and 
timid  plant,  and  leaft  difplays  itfelf,  where  it  is  known 
to  exift  in  the  higheft  cultivation. 

Some  women  are  fo  over-loaden  with  this  virtue,  a> 
to  be  almoft  infufferable  in  fociety  ;  fo  outragcoujly  vir- 
tuous, that  they  render  all  their  purity  and  principles 
lufpedted. 

This  tremblingly  modeft  female,  in  a  company,  of 
which  I  had  lately  the  honor  of  making  one,  on  hear- 
ing that  a  number  of  gentlemen  were  coming  to  drink 
tea,  feemed  very  much  alarmed,  and  pretended  to  make 
an  apology  for  retiring.  Now  this  was  nothing  lefs 
than  downright  bypocrify.  If  it  had  been  poffible  to 
look  into  her  heart,  probably,  at  the  very  moment,  it 
was  thrilling  with  joy,  for  the  agreeable  information. 

Every  woman  in  the  world  is  fond  of  our  fociety, 
unlefs  fne  has  formed  fome  particular  attachment,  and 
wifhes  to  indulge  the  greater  luxury  of  folitary  recol- 
lection. It  is  a  natural  and  an  innocent  pleafure,  and 
it  would  be  xhcfaifejl  delicacy  to  difown  it.  We  al- 
ways fufpccl  thefe  prudes.  We  fancy,  that  their  mo- 
defty  diminimes  in  private,  in  proportion,  as  it  appears 
to  dilate  and  to  magnify  itfelf  before  the  public  in- 
flection. 


YOUNG      LADY.  51 

Upon  hearing,  again,  that  a  young  lady  had  been 
fmart  and  lively  with  a  gentleman  of  her  acquaintance, 
fhe  bkjcdberjfarsy  and  wondered,  how  fuch  forward- 
nefs  efcaped  reprobation  !  Now  this  girl  acted  from  na± 
tare.  The  gentleman  was  agreeable.  She  felt  the 
pleafure.  She  dared  to  exprefs  it.  She  wifhcd  to  en- 
tertain him,  and  fhe  did  right.  The  other  blamed  her, 
from  envy  or  from  afeclation. 

Thefe  over-nice  and  over -virtuous  people  would  do 
Well  to  confider,  that  an  odious  restraint  would  banifh 
all  the  fweets  of  an  intercourfe  betwixt  the  fexes,  and 
fix  a  moping  and  a  difmal  gloom  on  the  face  of  the 
creation.  It  is  no  breach  of  true  delicacy,  to  comply 
with  the  innocent  dictates  of  nature.  A  woman  may, 
very  modeftly,  avow  a  virtuous  attachment.  She  may 
exprefs  an  approbation  of  particular  men,  and  do  juf- 
tice  to  their  merit.  She  may  fhew  a  fondnefs  for  be- 
ing in  their  company.  She  may  chat,  in  a  fociable  and 
an  eafy  manner  with  them;  nay,  fhe  may  think  of  be- 
ing a  wife  or  a  mother^  without  injuring  the  fineft  tints 
of  this  laudable  quality,  Providence  intended  her  for 
fuch  circumftances  and  connexions,  and  they  need  not 
a  blujh.  - 

That/>/V(y  is  mod  folid,  which  affects  no  gloomy  ri- 
gours or  Angularities  j  which  makes  no  noife,  and 
courts  no  observation.  It  is  fo  with  delicacy.  That 
is  always  the  mod  exquifite,  which  is  lead  ojlentatiovs. 
An  un/1  udied  opennefs  and  fimplicity  of  manners,  are 
the  ftrongeft  fymptoms  of  a  guiltlefs  heart,  and  a  vir~ 
E  2 


52  LETTERS    to    a 

tuous  intention.  Thpfe  young  people  are,  generally, 
the  moft  amiable,  that  are  moil  undifguifed.  Having 
nothing  to  concealy  they  have  ftudied  no  art.  They, 
may,  fometimes,  give  way  to  little  Tallies,  which  the  rigid 
would  condemn  ;  but  they  are  Tallies  of  good  bumoury 
and  generofity  forgives  them. 

Another  inftance,  in  which  this  Lady  offended  me,, 
and  yet  from  an  over  defire  of  pleafing,  was,  by  aiTu- 
ming  a  mjftaken  dignity.     In  fact,  true  dignity,  in  any 
perfon,  confifts  in  the  virtues,   humility,  condefcenfion,. 
candor  j  and  is  only  fupported  by  great  qualities,  or 
by  a  train  of  amiable  actions.     But  in  a  woman's  man- 
ner, if  (hc.confidered  only  what  is  graceful,  there. mould, 
always  be  more  of  the  lovely,  than  the  great ;  of  the 
engaging,  than  the  magnificent  or  fublime.     Her  au- 
thority mould  be  loft;  in  fiveetnefs ,  the  dazzling,  in  the. 
mild. 

Women  were  not  formed  to  awe  us  by  their  majef- 
ty,  but  Xofootbc  us  by  their  graces.  We  may  be  flruck, 
with  a  Cleopatra,  but  we  love  an  Antiope.  A  Catha- 
rine may  afionijh  us,  but  we  arc  charmed  with  a 

C e. 


LETTER      XVI. . 

HE  tour  of  affectation  is  unbounded.     I  have 
juft  returned  from  a  circle -of  ladies,  who  have  been 


YOUNG      LADY. 

entertaining  me  with  a  very  long  harangue,  on  (what 
they  choofe  to  call)  fine  feelings.  This  is  quite  a  radii- 
onable  fubjecl:.  The  truth  is,  fenfibility  is  confidercd 
as  a  matter  of  refinement,  and  a  proof  of  being  raifed 
above  the  vulgar  ;  and  many  young  people,  I  do  be- 
lieve, would  be  more  hurt  by  any  reflexion  on  their 
fenfibility,  than  if  you  fufpecled  their  piety  and  virtue. 

This  rage  for  the  compliment  of  fine. feelings,  feems 
to  have  originated  in  the  writings  of  Sterne.  His  ve- 
ry eccentric  talents  were  always  contriving  fome  ficti- 
tious tale  of  woe,  and  bidding  the  tear  to  drop  ;  the 
general  circulation  of  his  works,  and  the  novels  which 
have,  fince,  fprung  up  in  the  hot-bed  of  France,  and  of 
our  own  imaginations,  have  led  young  people  to  fancy 
every  grace,  and  almoft  every  virtue,  comprized  under 
this  fpecious  and  comprehenfive  name. 

Nothing,  certainly,  can  be  more  naufeous  and  dif- 
gufting,  than  an  affefled  fenfibility,  as  nothing  is  more 
charming,  than  the  pure  and  genuine.  But,  with  all 
this  noife  about  it,  I  am  far  from  knowing  whether 
there  is  much  of  the  real  in  the  world.  They,  who 
would  be  thought  to  have  it  in  perfection,  are  only  in 
poiTeflion  of  the  artificial.  For  is  it  fenfibility  to  pre- 
fer the  turbid  pleafures  of  midnight,  to  opening  buds 
and  blolToms  ;  to  the  leiTons,  which  the  Creator  gives 
in  every  vegetable  and  every  infecl: ;  to  undifturbed 
contemplation  ;  to  the  raptures  of  devotion,  or  all  the 
fair  and  enchanting  landfcapes  of  creation  ;  to  the  Sift- 
timent,  the  tafte  and  knowledge,  that  are  difplayed  in 
the  works  of  the  inoft  learned  and  ingenious  men,  or 
E'3 


54  LETTERS    to    a 

the  entertainment  and  delight  and  profit,  we  might  re- 
ceive from  the  volume  of  revelation?  Is  it  fenfibility 
to  form  a  facred  connexion  with  one  perfon,  and  en- 
courage a  criminal  attachment  to  another  ?  Is  it  fenfi- 
bility to  leave  the  charms,  the  cries,  the  wants  and 
tender  pleadings  of  an  infant  offspring,  for  the  vain 
and  periihablefplendor  of  a  ball,  a  birth-night,  or  a 
levee  ? 

Every  thinking  perfon  mud  be  difgufted  with  fu<:b 
a  kind  of  fenfibility.  Rigid  criticiftn  would  call  it  by 
a  very  harfh  name,  andfociety  has  reafon  to  reprobate 
its  tendency.  Yet  Sterne's  fenfibility  led  to  many  of 
thefe  evils  ;  and  who  knows  not,  that  a  thoufand  la* 
dies,  who  vaunt  fine  feelings,  are  dupes  to  this  ridicu.- 
fous  illuflon  ? 

True  feeling  is  of.  a  very  different  complexion. — 
Like  genius,  it  muit  come  from  heaven  ;  indeed  it  is  a 
part  of  genius  ;  and,  like  that,  is  very  rare..  It  de? 
pends^confiderablvjon  temperament  and  organization  ; 
is  much  heightened  by  particular  advantages  of  edu- 
cation, fociety,  friends,  reading,  obfervation  and  re- 
flexion ;  and  will  generally  be  quickest  in  the  molt  ele- 
vated minds.  But,  even  when  it  is  moft  genuine  and 
poignant,  it  will  never  be  a  guide,  fafely  to  be  trufted,. 
till  it  is  governed  by  reafon,  checked  by  difcretion,  and 
moulded  by  that  religion,  which  requires  us  to  devote 
every  injiincl  we  have,  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  to  the. 
happinefs  of  all  our  fellow-creatures,  and  of  our«- 
felves.. 


YOUNG     LADY,.  55 

Thus  confecrated^  it  is  a  fuurce  o£  the  purell  and  the 
richeft  blefTmgs.  It  is  the  parent  of  an  earned  devo- 
tion to  him  who  gave  it,  and  of  a  thoufand  blefiings  to 
mankind.  It  appropriates  all  the,  forrows  of  its  bre- 
thren ;  it  feels  in  every  woe,  "  rejoices  with  them  that 
do  rejoice,  and  weeps  with  them  that  weep  ;"  and  dou- 
bly alive  to  all  the  excrcifes  of  piety,  in  bloiToms,  in 
flowers,  in  minerals,  in  vegetables,,  in  ftars,  in  planets, 
in  the  azure  vault  of  heaven,  in  .thunders,,  in  ftormx, 
in  earthquakes,  in  volcanos,  ,in  the  revolutions  of  em- 
pire, and  deftruc"tion  of  cities,  feels  mod:  exquifitely, 
adores  and  Joves  and  venerates  the  wifdom,  the  power, 
the  goodnefs  and  wonders  of  an  all- pre  fen  t,  and  all- 
difpofing  God. 

It  is  with  this,  as  with  every  other  grace  and  virtue. 
There  is  a  fal'fe  and  a  true.  The  falfe  is  loud  and 
noify,  much  addicted  to  egotifm,  and  obtrudes  hfelf  on 
public  obfervation,  in  order  to  gratify  its  own  conceit 
and  vanity  ;  the  other,  modeft,  timid,  retired,  {brinks 
into  itlelf ;  reels,  but  fays  nothing  of  its  feelings  ;  fuf- 
fers,  but  conceals  its  fufferings  ;  rejoices,  but  does 
not  vaunt  its  joy,  and  is  too  delicate  in  its  nature,  and 
too  much  interefted)  to  folicit  pity, or  to  court  approba- 
tion. The  one  is  an  humble  fire-work,  which  cracks 
and  fparkles ;  the  other  is  that  lightning,  which,  in  3n 
injlant,  eleclrifies  and  fhocks  ;  this  is  the  offspring  of 
heaven  ;  that,  the  artificial  creature  of  the  world. 

Twill  conclude  this  letter  with  a  contrail  taken  from 
life.  Flavia  lies  in  bed  till"  noon  ;  as  foon  as  (he  riles, 
ihe  opens  a  novel,  or  a  play-book  ;  weeps  profufely  at 
Imaginary  diftrefs,  lips  ftrong  tea,  till  Hie  is  almoft  in 


56  LETTERS    to    a 

hyfterics ;  concludes  that  fenfibility  is  all  her  own,  and 
is  perpetually  complaining  how  her  feelings  are  mock- 
ed with  fuch  a  room,  or  fuch  a  profpe<£t,  the  coarfenefs 
of  this  character,  and  of  that  converfation,  and  how 
the  fight  of  a  poor  beggar  gives  her  the  vapours. 

Emily  never  fays  a  word  about  her  feelings,  rifes 
with  the  dawn,  endeavors  to  fortify  her  body  with  air 
and  exercife,  and  her  mind  with  devotion  j  is  oftner 
fetn  with  her  bible,  than  any  other  book  j  feems  pleaf- 
ed  with  ever);  perfon  and  every  object  about  her,  and 
puts  on  a  cheerful  fmile,  when  her  bofom  is  really  throb- 
bing with  pain  for  the  diftrefTes  of  her  fellow-crea- 
tures. 

I  was  lately  in  her  company,  when  a  cafe  of  very 
fingular  diftrefs  happened  to  be  related,  of  a  lady  re- 
duced from  the  height  of  affluence,  to  a  poverty,  which 
fhe  attempted  to  conceal.  She  uttered  not  a  fyllable> 
but,  in  a  little  while,  quitted  the  room,  and  returned, 
after  a  confiderable  interval,  with  eyes,  that  fhe  had 
vainly  bidden  not  to  betray  her  emotions.  The  next 
cir  cum  fiance  I  heard,  was,  that  fhe  had  fent  a  £50 
banknote,  without  any  ngnature,  to  the  relief  of  the 
fair  iufferer.  The  fecret  was  difcovercd,  contrary  to 
the  rtrictefl  injunctions,  by  the  imprudence  of  the  bear- 
er. She  has,  fince,  adopted  one  of  the -daughters  to 
be  educated  for  her  own. 

Tell  me  now,  my  Lucy,  which  of  thefe  is  the  tru« 
*nd  the  prod ucl he  fenfibility  ? 


YOUNG     LAbY,  52 

LETTER      XVIL 


i 


WILL  give  you  candidly,  at  your  requeft,  my  o- 
pinion  of  fome  celebrated  writers.  If  you  differ  from 
me  on  reading  them,  it  may  produce  a  collifion  of  fen- 
timents,  which  will  be  favourable  to  our  mutual  im- 
provement. At  any  rate,  it  will  ferve  to  exercife  your 
own  judgment  and  difcrimination. 

Voltaire  is  a-  graceful,  but  a  fuperjidal  writer.  He 
had  more  tafte  than  genius,  and  more  livelinefs  than 
authenticity.  Volatile,  in  his  refearches,  impatient  of 
inveftigation,  and  hafty  in  his  decifions,  you  can  fcarce- 
ly  rely  on  the  truth  or  authority  of  any  fa&s  he  re- 
lates. 

If  I  muft  recommend  any  of  his  works*  it  fhould  be 
his  Henriade.  But  I  do  not  wifh  you  to  cultivate  any 
filofe  acquaintance  with  fo  erroneous  and  fedu&ive  an 
author. 

RoufTeau  is  very  fanciful,  but  very  engaging.  His 
whims  are  all  the  ebullitions  of  genius  j  and,  as  fuch, 
they  pleafe.  Nothing- was  ever  fo  ftrangely  romantic, 
as.  his  Emilius,  or  fyftem  of  Education  ;  a  mere  paper 
edifice  of  children,  which  the  firft  and  gentled  touch 
of  experience,  totally  deftroys.  You.may  read  it,  to  be 
amufed,  not  to  be  inftru&ed. 

Why,  you  will  naturally  afk,  were  thefe  diflinguifh- 
ed  men  enemies  to  revelation  ?  The  truth  is,  genius 
difdains  tQ  move  in  (hackles,  or  to  tread  beaten  paths. 


58  LETTERS    to    a 

Originality  is  its  conftant  aim.  It  muft  candidly  be 
owned,  that  revelation  has  feme  doctrines,  fuperior  to 
our  reafon  :  Othervvife,  we  fliould  have  no  exercife  for 
our  faith  ;  and  our  organs  of  perception,  would  be  too 
fubtle  and  too  refined  for  a  mortal  ftate. — And  thefe 
very  enlightened  men,  ehoofe  not  to  flop  at  myflcries, 
but,  in  the  pride  of  underftanding,  arrogantly  difbe- 
lieve,  what  they  cannot  comprehend. 

Happy  the  humble  chriftian,  who  fubmits  and  a- 
dores  !  who  confiders  reafon  but  as  an  imperfcel  guide, 
and  patiently  waits  the  momenrrwhen  the  fpJendors  of 
full  di  fee  very  (hall  (tune  around  him  ! 


LETTER      XVIIT. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 

./^FTER  all  the  noife,  that  has  been  made  about 
him,  what  has  this  great  Lord  Chefterfield  written  ?— 
What  new  ideas  has  he  communicated  to  the  world? 

He  has  given  us  a  few  fketches  of  heathen  mytho- 
logy, of  the  Grecian,  Roman  and  Englifh  hiftories, 
written  in  a  pleafing  ftyle  j  and  he  has  inculcated  upon 
youth,  that  excellent  maxim,  of  not  lofing  a  fingle  mo- 
ment from  improvement.  A  man  of  very  moderate 
talents  might  have  done  likewife.     He  had,  doubtlefs. 


YOUNG     LADY.  59 

fome  claim  to  tafte  ;  but  very  little  ftrength  or  original- 
ity of  genius,  appears  through  his  writings,  but  he  was 
a  nobleman,  who  had  been  confpicuous  for  his  fiation> 
and  his  coronet  has  reflected  a  luftre  on  his  page. 

What  real  critic  muft  not  fmile  at  his  decifion,  when 
he  boldly  pronounces  the  He?iriade  of  Voltaire,  fupe. 
rior  to  the  Iliad,  the  iEneid,  and  to  Paradife  Loft  ?— 
Perhaps  this  poem  may  be  free  from  fome  YittlGjpots  of 
the  others,  but  then  it  is  not  a  fun,  whofe  fire  con- 
fumes  every  (lighter  blemifh,  and  leaves  the  reader 
wrapped  in  a  profound  enthufiafm  and  amazement. 

If  it  furpaffes  them  in  a  cold  corre£mefs,  has  it  their 
fublimity,  their  energy  and  fire  ?  If  it  has  not  their 
excrefcences,  has  it  their  impafiioned  beauties  ?  Com- 
pared with  the  Iliad,  or  with  the  work  of  Milton,  it  is 
a  neat  fpruce  fir,  placed  near  a  fpreading  and  majeltic 
oak.  It  is  a  gentle  rivulet  by  the  fide  of  a  foaming 
torrent,  or  a  magnificent  ocean.  It  is  a  petty  artificial 
fire-work,  playing  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a  tremen- 
dous ^Etna. 

But  Voltaire  was  a  congenial  writer,  and  a  congenial 
foul.  In  praifing  h is  fuptrficial  talents,  Chefterfield  did 
an  honor  to  his  own. 

If  this  writer  had  not  been  a  peer,  who  would  have 
Tead  his  letters  with  fo  much  avidity  ?  All  he  has  pro- 
duced, would  immediately  have  perifhed  with  the  other 
frothy  bubbles  of  the  day.  His  eternal  repetition  of 
"  graces,  graces,"  makes  one  abfolutely  fick  ;  and  the 
regimen  he  prefcribes  for  the  attainment  of  them,  cre- 
ates him  an  enemy,  in  every  friend  of  religion  and  of 
yirtue. 


to  LETTERS   to    a 

Society  fhould  bum  his  books.  All  the  women,  in 
the  world,  fhould  form  an  unanimous  confederacy  a- 
gainft  him.  He  has  done  every  thing  in  his  power  to 
render  them  deteftable  ;  they  fhould  do  every  thing  in 
their*  s,  to  make  the  infamy  of  his  character  immortal. 

Read  him,  to  defpife  his  opinions  and  maxims. — 
Read  him,  that  you  may  nfiue  the  honors  of  your  fex, 
and  give  the  lie,  in  your  own  example,  to  every  libel  he 
has  uttered,  and  every  fcandal  he  has  endeavoured  to 
propagate  through  the  world. 


LETTER      XIX. 


G 


IBBON  is  fplendid,  elaborate,  elegant.  To  me, 
however,  he  is  not,  always,  per/pi cuous.  I  am,  fomc- 
timcs,  obliged  to  paufe  to  dil'cover  his  meaning.  This 
arifes  from  his  having  ftudied  an  uniform,  condenfed 
harmony  of  period,  or  attempting  to  graft  the  peculi- 
arities of  Tacitus^  on  the  Englith  idiom.  He  is,  how- 
ever, on  fhe  whole,  a  captivating  writer  ;  and  I  would 
not  forbid  you  the  pleafure  of  perufing  his  interefting 
work.  You  may  admire  his  language,  without  imbi- 
bing his  infidelity.  It  is,  indeed,  fo  artfirily  concealed 
under  beds  of  rofes,  that,  if  you  had  not  heard  fo  much 
about  it,  you  would  not  eafily  have  difcovered  the  ve- 
nom of  his  pen. 


i   O  U  N  G      LADY.  61 

What  could  induce  this  fplendid  hiftorian  (o  infidi- 
oufly  to  attempt  the  undermining  of  chriftianity,  which 
is  the  greateft  balm  and  fweetner  of  life  ?  What  are  his 
rounded  periods,  if  they  have  a  tendency  to  rob  the 
world  of  its  fublimeft  profpe&s,  and  of  all  its  fupport- 
ing  hopes  ?  What  will  the  fame  of  talents  avail  him,  if 
he  has  done  his  utmoft  to  circulate  infidelity,  as  wide- 
ly as  his  writings,  and  ftrew  his  paths,  in  every  place, 
through  which  he  has  palled,  with  heaps  of  the  mur- 
.dered  ? 

It  is  amazing  that  authors  do  not,  more  frequently, 
look  forward  to  the  moment,  when  to  have  made  a 
noife  in  the  world,  by  fingular  opinions,  will  convey  no 
joy  or  comfort  to  the  heart ;  and  when  the  only  con- 
folation  muft  be,  that  they  have  laboured  to  promote 
the  Glory  of  God,  and  the  benefit  of  m2n. 

I  would  not,  for  the  richeft  mitre  in  the  kingdom, 
be  a  Gibbon  in  my  lateft  moments.  In  health  and 
profperity,  we  may  be  dazzled  with  tinfel  :  But,  when 
wc  come  to  die,  every  thing  will  vanifh,  but  piety  and 
truth. 

Immoral  writers  may  do  the  greateft  mifchief  to  fo- 
ciety,  of  any  other  charafters  whatever.     They  may 
corrupt  and  taint  the  morals  of  the  moft  diftant  pcfio- 
rity.     In  this  (unk,  they  may,  for  a  long  time,  con 
to  be  finning,  when  their  bodies  are  entombed.   Their 
fentiments  may  convey  a  deadly  poifon,  to  operate  on 
many  generations  yet  unborn.     And  what  rep?: 
or  atonement  can  they  make  for  unhinged  print 
lor  violated   integrity,  and  undermined  hope  ?    The 
F 


62  LETTERS     to   a 

Romifli  Church  has  a  very  ftriking  doctrine,  thatfuch 
people  continue  in  purgatory  the  longeft  ot  all  others 
I  ble/s  God,  that  I  never  wrote  a  line,  however  fee- 
ble, but  with  a  good  intention.  And  may  this  pen 
drop  from  my  hands,  before  it  ever  leads  me  to  finifh 
a  period,  that  lhall  give  me  one  uncomfortable  thought 
or  one  feeling  of  remorfe,  in  my  expiring  moments. 


LETTER      XX. 

MY    DEAR  LUCY, 

X  HOUGH,  from  principle,  a  declaimer  againfl: 
novels,  yet  of  one  writer,  who  goes  under  this  name,  I 
profefs  myfelf  a  paflionate  admirer. — I  mean  Richard- 
fon.  His  works,  indeed,  are  not  to  be  examined  by 
the  ftrict  laws  of  a  faftidious  criticifm.  They  have 
many  luxuriancics^  and  too  much  prolixity.  The  lan- 
guage is  natural  and  eafy,  but  it  is  not  condetifcd  into 
the  elegant  concifenefs  and  energy  of  the  ancients. — 
Richardfon  was  a  ftranger  to  the  inimitable  models  of 
Greece  and  Rome.  He  was  not  a  clajftc ;  but  he  pof- 
felTed  a  moft  extenfive  knowledge  of  human  life  and 
manners;  his  judgment  was  ftrong  and  penetrating  > 
iiis  tafte  accurate ;  his  fenfibility  exquifite ;  his  imagi- 
nation wonderful ;  and  his  heart  impaflioned.  Maf- 
ter  of  the  human  character,  he  knew  all  its  meandrings. 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  63 

Mafter  of  the  human  foul,  he  penetrated  into  all  its 
foldings  and  recefTes. 

With  the  fame  breath,  and  in  the  fame  moment,  he 
melts,  he  tranfports,  he  elevates,  he  dignifies,  he  con- 
vinces and  inftru&s.  Pathos  is  all  his  own.  "  Fie 
"  opens  the  hardeft  rocks,  by  the  mere  force  of  his 
"  narrative,  and  the  waters  flow." 

Richardfon  was,  indeed,  a  writer  of  no  trilling  mag- 
nitude. He  was  a  genius  of  no  ordinary  kind.  De- 
grade this  ethereal  fpirit,  as  you  will,  it  will  mount  up 
to  its  kindred  ikies.  Call  him  a  novellifl^  his  merit 
rifes  above  names  and  forms.  Thcfe  cannot  debafe  his 
talents.  Handle  this  fubftance  as  roughly  as  you 
pleafe,  it  returns,  with  an  elaftic  vigour,  to  its  ufual 
fhape,  and  defies  oppofition. 

But  the  excellency  of  his  intention  is  above  all  praife. 
The  interefts  of  virtue  and  religion  were  near  his 
heart ;  and  he  chofe  the  epiftolary  plan,  merely  to  en- 
gage the  attention  of  his  readers,  and  that  imagination 
might  lend  its  livelieft  charms  to  animate  his  precepts. 

What  a  pattern  of  all  virtues  and  graces,  is  his 
Grandifon  !  What  a  lovely  and  finifhed  girl,  is  his 
Harriet  Byron  !  What  an  unruffled  piety  !  What  a 
melting  affection  !  What  filial  duty  to  her  aged  grand- 
mother !  What  a  kind  fympathy  with  all  her  friends  ! 
What  fenfibility,  yet  what  prudence  !  What  tender- 
nefs,  yet  what  difcrction  appears  in  her  character  !  How 
nicely  is  her  ferioufnefs  mixed  with  vivacity,  her  fine 
fenfe  with  modcity,  and  her  franknefs  with  decorum  ! 
F2 


64  LETTERS   to  a 

How  fondly  does  fhe  love,  yet  how  delicately  does  (he 
manage  and  regulate  the  flame! 

When  fhe  pined,  in  fecret,  with  an  unconquerable 
attachment,  what  cheerfulnefs  to  all  her  friends,  burft 
through  the  heavy  gloom  that  iowered  on  her  mind  ! 
What  fear  of  giving  any  pain  to  others,  though  com- 
fortlefs  herfelf !  What  veneration  did  Hie  exprefs,  for 
the  unhappy  Clementina !   What  a  generous  concern 

for  the  innocent,    girlifh  emotions    of    Emily  ! 

What  an  unaffected  friend fhip  for  the  lively   Lady 

G ,  and  when  fhe  was,  really  addrefTed  by  her 

Grandifon,  with  what  an  open  franknefs,  yet  what  a 
guarded  delicacy  and  involuntary  confufion,  did  me 
tell  him  that  he  had  the  full  pofTefTion  of  her  foul  ! 

How  venerable  and  engaging  has  this  writer  made 
the  character  of  a  clergyman,  in  the  cafe  of  Dr.  Bart- 
lett  !  How  judicioufly  has  he  mixed  the  parlor  with 
the  friend,  and  combined  the  moft  rigid  principles  with 
the  fofteft  and  moft  attractive  graces.  What  inno- 
cence, integrity,  and  what  prudence  and  caution,  about 
interfering  In  family  concerns,  has  he  given,  in  another 
work,  to  Dr.  Lewen !  What  an  independent  fpirir,  like- 
wife  ;  what  a  leaning  to  the  fide  of  the  unfortunate. 
ClarifTa,  in  oppofition  to  all  the  greate/l  of  her  friends  ! 
what  a  glowing,  univerfal  benevolence  ;  what  a  ferene 
?md  undiffembled  piety!  And  how  ftrikingly  has  he 
.  ontrafted  both  with  the  cunning  hypocrify  and  pedan- 
tic affectation  of  another  perfon,  who,  likewifc,  wore, 
without  really  defirvingy  fo  facred  a  garb  ! 


YOUNG      LADY.  6S 

In  opposition  to  modern  cuftoms,  which,  under  a 
faife  idea  of  greatnefs,  would  trample  on  facred  cere- 
monies, and  bring  the  holy  ordinances  of  religion,  to 
their  own  fire-fides,  in  a  manner  which  diverts  them  of 
all  folemnity  and  decorum,  what  an  invincible  attach- 
ment does  his  Grandifon  difplay  to  all  the  decencies  and 
duties  of  the  church  !  What  a  reluctance  does  he  ex- 
prefs  againft  having  his  marriage  defecrated  by  a  private 
celebration  ;  and  how  does  he  oblige  his  timid  and  his 
bluming  Harriet  to  vow  at  the  altar,  in  the  prefence  of 
God,  and  in  the  face  of  day,  her  obedience,  and  her 
affection  !  In  facl,  thefe  outward  decencies  are  the  very 
fences  of  piety.  Break  them  down,  and  the  facred  en- 
clofure  will  foon  become  "common  and  unclean." 

If,  in  lhort,  I  wifhed  a  girl  to  be  every  thing  that 
is  great,  I  would  have  her  continually  ftudy  his  Cla- 
rhTa.  If  I  were  ambitious  to  make  her  every  thing 
that  is  lovely,  (he  mould  fpend  her  days  and  nights  in 
contemplating  his  Byron. 

I  muft,  however,  confefs  a  ftrong  preference  for  the 
work  of  Sir  Charles  Grandifon.  The  reading  of 
ClarifTa  leaves,  upon  the  mind,  too  melancholy  im- 
prefiions.  Her  diftrefics  are  too  deep  and  too  unvaried 
for  fenfibility  to  bear.  She  was  every  thing  that  was 
virtuous,  and  we  look  up  with  admiration.  She  was 
every  thing  that  was  miferafole,  and  we  look  down  with 
defpair.  We  are  tempted  to  fancy,  that  "  there  is  no 
«  reward  for  the  righteous,  nor  any  God  thatjudgeth 
*  the  earth." 

?3 


LETTERS    to   a 

There  is  a  certain  point,  beyond  which  our  paflions 
will  not  bear  to  be  racked.  Beyond  it,  even  fympathy, 
the  lovelieft  of  them  all,  turns  into  the  wildnefs  of 
defpair.  Virtue  may  have  its  forrows  and  its  trials  ; 
but  they  fhould  not  be  perpetual.  Hope  would  ceafe 
to  bloom,  and  the  year  become  intolerable,  if  it  was 
wholly  compofed  of  a  dull  and  dreary  winter,  without 
a  fpring.  If  Providence  did  not,  generally,  interfere 
in  favour  of  its  faints,  religion,  I  rtiould  fufpec"t,  would 
foon  lofe  one  of  its  ftrongeft  encouragements,  and 
moft  fovereign  fupports. 

Mifs  Byron  is  always  lovely,  and  always  enchant- 
ing;. Her  virtues  are  more  within  the  reach  of  mor- 
tality.  Her  afflictions  are  lefs  poignant  ;  and  when 
her  long  attachment  is  crowned  with  fuccefs,  every 
good  mind  feels  a  pleafure  too  big  for  expreflion.  We 
are  happy  for  Clarifla,  only  when  fhe  is  dead.  We  are 
very  agreeably  interefted  for  Mifs  Byron,  through  eve- 
ry period  of  her  life,  and  Lady  Grandijon  charms  us  in- 
to congratulating  triumph. 


LETTER       XXI. 

\  OU  fay'very  truly,  that  the  pictures  of  Richard- 
fon  are  drawn  above  life  ;  that  Sir  Charles  Grandifon 
never  exifted,  except  in  idea,  nor  fo  accompli  fried  a 
woman  as  Harriet  Byron. 


YOUNG     LADY.  67 

All  this  is  granted.  Mortality  does  not  admit  of 
perfection.  Light  and  lhade  go  together.  Foibles 
and  perfections  are  an  infeparable  mixture.  The  rich 
foil,  which  produces  great  talents,  by  the  fame  prolific 
energy,  nurfes  the  rankeft  weeds. 

But  what  is  all  this  againft  his  writings  ?  Why  peo- 
ple, you  fay,  are  deterred  from  attempting  to  imitate  fo 
exalted  a  pattern.  But  that  would  be  a  mark  of  an 
ignoble  foul,  and  of  a  lukewarmnefs  in  the  caufe  of 
religioft  and  virtue.  If  we  defpair  of  attaining  to  all 
their  perfeft'ions,  is  it  nothing  to  approximate,  as  nearly 
as  we  can  ?  Is  it  not  a  noble  and  a  glorious  emulation, 
at  leaft,  to  exert  our  utmoft  ftrength,  when  we  are  run- 
ning the  race  of  immortality  ? 

The  Founder  of  our  holy  religion  is  much  more 
highly  raifed  above  our  imitation,  and  yet  do  not  the 
fcriptures  prefs  us  to  make  the  neceffary  attempt  r — 
Who  ever  thought  this  pattern  blameable,  becaufe  fo 
exalted?  Or  whoever  dreamed  of  remitting  his  endea- 
vours, becaufe  he  could  not  reach  xhtfublimHy  of  its 
virtues  ? 

The  one,  you  will  fay,  was  real  ;  the  other  is  ficti- 
tious -,  this  is  human  ;  that  was  divine. 

True  ;  but  are  we  not  to  copy  this  divinity,  in  our 
degree?  And  who  can  blame  fancy  for  presenting  us 
with  * perfe&  mirror  of  soodnefs  ?  If  imagination  can  be 
ufed  to  an  important  purpofe,  this,  I  think,  is  the  plan  ; 
if  it  can  befanStified  to  aid  the  interefts  of  piety,  this 
appears  the  mode  of  fa  ratification.  It  is  only  to  be 
blamed,  and  it  then  becomes  in  all  thefe  books,  a  moft 
dangerous  and  unholy  principle,  when  it  exhibits  fcents 


68  LETTERS   to    a 

and  images  to  inflame  thofe  paffions,  which  mould  al- 
ways be  religioufly  fupprefled. 

Nor  do  I  blulh,  on  the  whole,  cautious  as  I  fhould 
be,  to  have  borne  this  humble  teftimony  to  the  merit 
of  the  author  of  Sir  Charles  Grandifon,  to  have  offer- 
ed my  unavailing  incenfe  at  his  fhrine.  If  I  durit 
preach  in  fome  fuch  manner,  I  could  make  more  con- 
verts. The  pulpit  will  never  have  its  full  influence 
and  effecl,  till  argument  is  mixed  with  ftrong  appeals 
to  the  heart ;  and  till,  whilft  the  judgment  is  convin- 
ced, the  imagination  is  permitted  by  lively,  defcriptive 
ani  energetic  Tallies,  to  captivate  the  foul. 


LETTER       3fXII. 

MY  DEAR  LUCY, 


I 


REJOICE  to  find  you  difgufted  with  Trim-am 
Shandy.  I  never  thought  thefe  writings  fit  for  a  la- 
<ly. 

Let  me  candidly  afk  our  modern  fair  ones,  Could 
they  bear  to  hear  fuch  converfaUons,  without  blufhing, 
or  expreffing  their  contempt  ?  And  fhould  not  then  the 
eye  be  as  chafte  as  the  ear  ?  The  firft,  indeed,  can  be 
gratified  in  private*  But  can  that  delicacy  be  very  ex- 
qtiifite,  which  can  regale,  when  alone,  on  fentiments 


YOUNG      LADY.  .  69 

and  defcr.iptions,  from  which,  in  public,  it  cfficlsio  turn 
away  with  indignation  and  abhorrence  ? 

I  have  always,  in  private,  lamented  that  Sterne  was 
a  clergyman.  He  might  be  a  lively,  humorous  com- 
panion, but  he  had  too  much  levity  for  this  profeflion. 
It  is  true,  he  had  talents,  but  what  is  ungovcrr.ed 'geni- 
us, but  a  violent  flame,  which  burns,  infread  of  warm-i 
ing,  and  dazzles,  where  it  lhould  enlighten  and  di- 
red  ? 

This  writer  has  done  inexpreflible  mifchief.  He 
has  opened  wide  the  flood-gates  of  indecency,  and  an 
©verwhelming  torrent  has  poured  on  the  land.  He 
has  conveyed  indelicate  ideas  into  the  minds  of  young 
people,  under  the  fpecious  vehicle  of  ftntiment,  and 
he  has  dignified  eventual  criminality  with  the  falfe,  in- 
fidious  title  of  involuntary  attachment.  The  corrupted 
and  unblufhing  fair  has  gloried  in  her  fhame.  She 
has  appealed  for  her  jurtification,  from  the  groffhefs  of 
paffion,  to  fecret  and  irrifijlible  feelings  of  the  heart. 

It  is  a  juft  compliment  to  the  prefent  age,  that  the 
beft  writers  preferve  more  decorum.  An  indelicate  al- 
lufion  would,  now,  be  efteemed  an  unpardonable  of- 
fence againft  the  public  tafte.  Even  the/lage  is  confi- 
dently reformed.  It  was  far  otherwife  in  (what  was 
called)  our  Auguflan  age.  Almoft  every  author  of  that 
period  (Addifon  excepted)  breathes  fomething  of  in- 
delicacy. In  many  pafTages,  Swift  is  intolerable — 
Pope  indecent ;  and  even  Bolingbroke,  with  all  his 
claims  to  birth,  as  well  as  eloquence,  is  not  without 
fome  grip  ideas,  and  fome  vulgar  expreflions. 


70  LETTERS     to   a 

But  the  great  corrupter  of  them  all,  was  Swift.  The 
refervcir  of  filthinefs  ;  all  the  feparate  ftreams  might 
claim  him  for  their  parent  fource.  I  have  already  giv- 
en my  fentiments  of  this  author.  It  is  not  necefTary 
to  fwell  the  invective,  or  add  any  thing  to  the  charges 
adduced  againft  him.  His  abilities  I  never  fufpecled  j 
but  I  always  called  in  queftion  his  temper  and  his 
heart. 

Panegyrifts,  however,  have  enumerated  his  many 
virtues.  To  Ireland,  they  fay,  he  was  a  fkilful  patri- 
ot ;  to  the  church,  a  defender,  and  to  the  poor,  a 
friend. 

For  the  honor  of  human  nature,  I  will  not  endea- 
vour to  put  a  negative  on  thefe  virtues.  Let  them  all 
be  taken  into  the  general  account.  The  balance  will 
not  (till  be  heavy  in  his  favour. 


LETTER      XXIII. 


w, 


HATEVER  devotional  writers  increafe  your 
piety,  by  all  means  ufe  them.  1  did  not  mention  in  my 
catalogue,  Mrs,  Rowe's  Devout  Exercifes  of  the  Heart, 
with  which  you  are  fo  much  pleafed,  becaufe  to  me 
they  appeared  over  fir  ained,  and  rather  rhapfodies  of  a 
fervid  imagination,  than  the  tfi&ates  of  a  cool  and  dif- 
paulonate  judgment.     But  if  they  really  warm  and  e- 


YOUNGLADY.  71 

dify,  that  is  the  great  and  ultimate  end  of  all  religious 
writings  ;  and  no  one  can  pretend,  in  this  refpedt,  to 
prefcribe  the  confcience  or  the  feelings  of  others. 

From  my  obfervations,  however,  upon  life  and  man- 
ners, that  piety  has  always  appeared  the  moft  durable^ 
which  is  moft  founded  on  reafon  and  conviction  ;  and, 
though  I  abhor  the  cold  rock  of  fcepticifm,  yet  there  is, 
likewife,  fome  danger,  that  a  well-difpofed  woman, 
whofe  fenfibility  is  as  yet  ftronger  than  her  judgment, 
may  founder  on  the  oppofite  quickfands  of  enthufiafm, 
or  of  fuperftition. 

Still  I  would  rather  fee  a  fmall  mixture  of  credulity 
than  unbeliefs  but  there  is  an  happy  medium  betwixt 
the  extremes;  and  it  is  very obfervable,  that thofe peo- 
ple, who,  in  fome  peculiar  period  of  their  lives,  or  un- 
der fome  dijirejjing  circumftances,  have  feemed  to  foar 
upon  the  wings  of  pious  zeal,  into  the  higheft  regions, 
have,  afterwards,  funk  below  the  common  level,  into 
a  ftrange  degree  of  carelefsnefs  and  inattention. 

There  are  moments  in  the  moral  life,  when  fancy 
plucks  the  reins  out  of  the  hands  of  reafon;  and 
though  (he  drives  at  intervals,  with  a  furious  rapidity, 
yet  nature  foon  becomes  exhaufted  with  the  violence, 
and  cannot  mount  fome  intervening  hills  without  flop- 
ping for  refrefhment.  Sometimes,  fhe  has  been  known, 
to  fit  down  in  a  liftlefs  langour,  and  wholly  to  abandon 
the  journey,  in  defpair. 

VVe  are  not,  in  this  ftate,  formed  for  extremes.  Any 
of  the  paflions,  too  violently  exercifed,  would  wear  out 
an  imperfect  frame.     True  piety  is  not  the  blazing 


7*  LETTERS    to  a 

meteor  of  an  hour,  fiery  in  its  afpe£t,  and  engaging  the 
aftonifhment  of  a  gazing  multitude,  but  that  fofter  and 
iettied  Jight  of  the  firmament,  "  which  fhineth  more 
u  and  more,  unto  the  perfect  day." 


LETTER        XXIV. 


i 


AM  forry  to  fay,  that  you  difplay  zfalft  tafte  in 
admiring  Kilhampton  Abbey.  I  am  now  (peaking  of 
its  merits,  merely  as  a  comfofition.  It  is  not  executed 
with  the  fkill  of  a  maftcr.  The  fame  uniform  turn  of 
period  and  of  fentimtnt,  and  the  fame  laboured  pmp 
of  words,  is  viiibie  through  all  the  different  inferip- 
tions.  Surely  the  epitaphs  en  fo  many  characters,  all 
written,  as  might  be  fuppofed,  by  different  hands,  mould 
be  various  and  multiform. 

I  never  thought  epitaph  an  eafy  fpecies  of  writing. 
It  requires  fuch  a  nice  discrimination  of  character,  fuch 
a  force  of  pathos,  and  fo  concife  an  elegance,  as  fall  not 
to  the  lot  of  one  man  in  a  thoufand.  Many  have  at- 
tempted this  ftyle  of  composition  ;  but  in  my  opinion, 
few  have  fucceeded. 

I  do,  indeed,  moll:  cordially  detcft  this  anonymous 
abufe.  It  is  contrary  to  all  my  ideas  of  civilization, 
politenefs,  fortitude,  and  even  common  generofity,  and 


YOUNG     LADY*  73 

militates  againft  every  thing,  that  mould  conftitute  the 
real  character  of  a  gentleman,  or  a  chriftian. 

No  man  lives,  without  foibles  or  fecuti&ritits ;  and, 
if  inftead  of  making  allowance  for  thofe  of  others,  in 
order  to  receive  an  indulgence  for  our  own,  we  uri- 
generoully  expofe  them  to  ridicule  or  contempt,  the 
confequence,  in  fociety,  muft  be  a  general  coldnefs,' 
difguft,  rancour,  hoftility,  and  unceafing  perfecution. 

No  perfon  can  be  fo  circumfpect,  particularly,  in  a, 
public  character,  as  to  avoid  creating,  though  without 
intending  it,  a  number  of  little  piques  and  enemies 
againft  himfelf ;  fometimes  even  by  an  innexib'e  <. "if- 
clnrge  of  tyceffary  duties  ;  and  if  his  character  rnufi:  be 
taken  from  the  colourings  of  thofe,  whom  he  lias  thus 
innocently,  perhaps  laudably,  offended,  all  his  virtues 
will  be  thrown  into  the  back  ground,  and  his  foibles 
aggravated  with  the  utmoit  virulence  of  malice  and  rc- 
fentment.  Prejudice  aga'mjl,  may  render  the  moft 
amiable  perfon  ridiculous,  by  concealing  the  great,  and 
bringing  forward  the  little;  and  prejudice/??-,  may 
give  fome  fort  of  merit  to  the  moil  defpicable  and 
abandoned.  Such  a  liberty  of  the  prefs  is  downright 
licentioufmfs  \  and  every  friend  to  order  and  virtue,  if  he 
will  confult  his  own  feelings,  will  not  hefitate  to  pro- 
nounce, that,  of  zWfacred  things,  character  is  mcfl  fo. 

If  a  perfon,  however  great,  had  ufed  me  angau- 
roujly,  I  would  certainly  expefe  him  to  public  cenfure, 
and  drag  him  before  the  formidable  tribunal  of  my 
country.     I  would  apical  from  the  oppreflion  of  any 

G 


74  LETTERS    to    a 

individual^  to  the  general  equity  and  candor  of  man- 
kind. Tbisy  I  fhould  conceive,  not  merely  an  act  of 
juilicc  to  myfc'J-t  but  likewife  to  the  world.  It  is  a 
common  intereft,  that  tyrants^  however  high  in  rank,  or 
in  felf-eftimation,  mould  meet  with  their  deferved  in- 
famy and  contempt.  Such  a  difplay  of  true  fpirit  won- 
derfully flops  the  progrefs  of  defpotifm,  and  teaches  in- 
folence  the  hard  leflbn  of  moderation.  But,  then,  it 
fhould  be  done  in  the  moil  open  manner.  I  would 
candidly  fublcribe  my  name  to  the  charges  I  adduced; 
and,  whilft  I  fhev^d  the  world  that  I  feared  not  the 
perfon  of  man,  I  would  convince  mine  adverfary,  that 
I  was  far  above  the  meannefs  of  taking  an  unmanly  or 
ungenerous  revenue. 

This  honeft  courage  was  poflefTed,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  by  the  late  Dr.  Johnfon.  Nothing  has  pleafed 
me  more  in  the  hiftory  of  his  life,  than  his  truly  mag- 
nanimous conduct  to  the  late  earl  of  Chefterfield. 
When  he  undertook  to  compofe  his  elaborate  dictionary, 
lie  folicited  the  favour  of  inferibing  it  to  his  Lordlhip, 
who  was  then,  if  I  miftake  not,  Secretary  of  State. 
Flattered  with  appearing  the  patron  of  literature,  Chef- 
terfield accepted  the  honour  of  the  dedication,  and  an 
honour  it  would  have  been,  to  any  nobleman  in  the 
world.  In  the  progrefs  of  this  long  and  tedious  work, 
he  received  no  very  folid  marks  of  encouragement 
from  his  patron,  and  fufpected,  on  the  whole,  that  the 
courtly  peer  meant  only  to  amufe  him. 

Johnfon  had  too  much  fpirit  either  to  brook  the 
idea  of  neglect,  the  chicanery  of  a  minifter,  the  viola- 


YOUNG     LADY.  75 

tion  of  a  promife,  or  the  fervility  of  an  abject  depen- 
dence. He  was  not  likely  to  be  dazzled  with  the  glit- 
ter of  a  coronet,  or  intimidated  with  the  ceremonious 
pageantry  of  office.  He  therefore  wrote  a  formal 
letter  to  the  nobleman,  upbraiding  him  with  infinceri- 
ty,  difclaiming  his  protection,  and  alluring  him,  that 
he  did  not  want,  and"  never  would  receive,  any  of  his 
favours.  The  confequence  of  this  fracas  was,  that 
he  afterwards  flung  Chciterrield  with  fuch  bitter  invec- 
tives, and  fo  many  pointed  ftrokes  of  raillery  and 
fatire,  as  made  him  heartily  repent  of  having  roufed 
his  refentment,  and  defirous,  at  any  rate,  of  a  recon- 
ciliation. Johnfon,  however,  periifted  in  his  anti- 
pathy, and  never  afterwards,  I  believe,  wrote  a  dedica- 
tion. 

If  Chefterfield  intended  only  to  dally  with  the  au- 
thor of  this  dictionary,  he  mould  certainly  have  con- 
sidered, that  men  of  great  abilities  have  too  much  pe- 
netration not  to  fee  through  any  flimfy  difguifes  of  a 
minifterj  too  much  irritability,  not  to  be  exafpcn.ted 
with  hypocrify  or  artifice,  and  too  lofty  a  reliance  on 
their  own  native  powers,  to  be  afraid  of  any  peer  or 
monarch  in  the  world. 

Johnfon,  it  is  true,  had  not  then  attained  all  his  e- 
minence  and  diftiu&ion.  He  was,  comparatively,  but 
rifing  into  notice.  The  day  that  should  announce  him 
die  hero  of  literature,  was  only  in  its  dawn.  But,  con- 
traftcd  with  \\\sfoiid  merit,  what  is  the  paltry  tinfel  cf 
flation,  from  which  fume  people  immediately  become 
io  fupercilious  and  forbidding  ? 
G  2 


76  LETTERS   to    a~ 

I  f  Chefterfield  did  not  think  the  author  of  the  Ram- 
bler, greater  than  himfelf ,  if,  from  the  foot  alone,  he 
could  not  prognosticate  the  future  ftrength  and  im- 
menfe' proportions  of  this  literary  Hercules^  he  had  net 
a  (ingle  grain  of  that  fhrevvdnefs  or  difcernment,  for 
which  he  has  been  fo  much  complimented  by  the 
world. 

.  Such  is  my  idea  of  the  true  and  genuine  fpirit,  which 
Yhould  characterize  a  fcholar  and  a  gentleman.  It  is 
not  a  ftiletfo,  ftabbing  in  the  dark,  but  a  challenge  to  a 
fair  and  generous  onfet,  in  which  your  anta-gonift  has 
the  opportunity  of  felf- defence,  and  of  managing  all 
his  weapons  to  advantage. 


LETTER      XXV. 

JL  HE  beauty  of  the  lady  you  allude  to,  was  her 
misfortune.  It  infpired  her  With  an  immoderate  va~ 
n;ry,  and  that  vanity  paved  the  way  to  her  ruin.  It 
dug  the  grave,  in  which  her  peace  snd  character  are 
now  entombed. 

And  after  all,  my  dear  girl,  what  is  this  beauty  ?  It 
)s  a  little  clay,  caft  in  an  elegant  mould,  and  by  the 
hand  of  an  exquifite  artift,  fafhioned  into  fomethingof 
fymmetry  and  order.  It  is  a  fmall  mixture,  in  tho 
cheek  of  rofes  and  carnations. 


YOUNG      LADY.  77 

But  who  needs  to  be  informed  that  clay  is  very  pc- 
rifhable,  that  rofes  and  carnations  are  but  for  jummcr 
m'mentS)  and  that  afterwards  there  comes  a  long  au- 
tumn of  ficknefs,  or  a  full  more  dreary  winter  ol  in- 
firmity and  old  age. 

How  tranfient  are  the  power  and  duration  of  beau- 
ty !  How  very  flight  an  accident  or  difeafe  blafts  it  for 
ever  !  How  fatal  is  a  fever,  the  fmall  pox,  or  a  little 
corroding  grief,  to  all  its  allurements  !  and  if  they  do" 
not  perdh  lboner,  how  dreadfully  are  they  ravaged  by 
the  hand  of  time  ! 

Whilft  fummer  lafts,  a  few,  fluttering  infecls  light 
upon  us  lips,  to  fip  the  fweets.  Some  draggling  birds 
©f  paflage,  chirp  upon  the  neighbouring  fpray,  delight- 
ed with  a  view  of  the  amiable  object.  The  notice  is 
enchanting,  and  imagination  promiles  that  it  (hall  be 
eternal.  But  the  rirft  ftorm  that  comes,  alas !  thefe- 
feathered  fongfters  migrate  to  warmer  climates,  and  a 
lerener  fky,  leaving  all  its  withered  charms  to  perifh  in 
neglect  ! 

How  ridiculous  is  the  girl,  who  wilfully  fwallows 
the  poifon  of  flattery  for  any  perfonal  charms;  end, 
in  the  height  of  her  intoxication,  can  be  infoleiit  or 
conceited  !  What  woman  of  fpirit  fhould  not  afpire  to 
qualities,  that  are  lefs  accidental  and  lefs  fubject  to 
change  !  What  woman  of  reflexion,  fhould  not  refolve 
to  adorn  and  cultivate  a  mind,  v^nofe  treafures  may  be 
inflxkaulhble,  and  whofe  attractions  never  die  ? 

G3 


78  LETTERS    to    a 

I  pity  every  girl,  whom  nature  has  gifted  with  a  ve- 
ry pretty  face.  She  feems,  by  the  very  ac*,  to  have 
marked  her  out  for  trials  and  temptations,  and  our 
firength  is  not  always  in  proportion  to  our  conflicts. 

Moft  of  the  unfortunate  ladies,  I  have  known,  have 
been  celebrated  for  their  beauty.  This  has  gathered 
all  the  worthlefs  of  our  fex  about  them  ;  and  called 
thrm  into  battle,  where,  if  they  have  not  fallen,  they 
have  generally  received  confiderable  fears. 

Beautiful  women,  flufhed  with  conqueft,  often  neg- 
lect the  necerTary  cultivation  of  their  heart  and  un- 
der/landing ;  and,  if  every  man  would  examine  him- 
ielf  ferioufly,  and  was  required  to  give  in  a  lift  of  the 
females  he  mofl  refpects,  the  prettieft,  I  believe,  would 
nor,  generally^  be  in  the  number. 


LETTER      XXVI. 

L/O  you  afk  to: patterns  of  conduct,  after  what  I 
have  faid  cf  Louifa  ?  I  do  not  think  you  want  any  ; 
but  I  will  mention  a  few,  which  juft  occur,  and  endea* 
Your  to  appreciate  their  merits  or  defects. 

Addifon  has   fevcral   in  his  ipectators,   which    arc 
wrought  up  with  inimitable  beauty. 

The  Antiope  of  Camhray,  is  a  charming  picture,  but 
rays  the  touches  cf  a  popifh  ecclefiaftic. 


YOUNG     LADY.  79 

Law's  Allranda  is  an  heroine  of  virtue  ;  but  fhe 
breathes  too  much  the  auuerity  and  the  abflra&ion  of 
that  very  animated,  but  peculiar,  writer.  Her  piety  is 
too  monaftic.     It  wants  grace,  cheerfulnefs  and  eafe. 

Kichardfonys  Clarijfa  has  qualities  above  woman,  and 
her  forrows  plunge  the  reader  into  defpair. 

Mifs  Byron  is  every  thing,  that  is  fmifhed,  in  a  fe- 
male. We  admire  her  greatly,  but  we  love  her  more. 
The  fiueetnrfs  of  the  character,  fwallows  up  its  digni- 
ty ;  in  the  amiable,  we  forget  the  great.  She  is  pre~ 
cifely  what  every  man,  of  principle  and  tafte,  would 
have  a  woman  to  be,  when  he  wifhes  to  be  married, 
and  wifhes  to  be  happy. 

With  fome  perfons,  his  Clementina  may  have  her  fu- 
perior  excellencies.  A  paflion,  all  fentimenr,  and  all 
directed  to  the  mind^  and  a  fuperftitious  religion,  in  a 
particular  country,  wholly  vanquishing  that  paflion, 
may  be  a  fine-fpun,  amufing  fpeculation.  But  to  me 
it  appears  vifionary  and  romantic  ;  and  the  admirers  of 
this  ftory  will  generally,  I  conceive,  be  found  among 
thofe  ladies,  who  would  gladly  perfuade  us,  that,  by  a 
rant  of  goodnefs,  they  can  rife  above  the  innocent 
paffions  of  mortality,  and  all  the  natural  weakneffes  of 
their  fex. 

When  I  wifh  to  be  delighted  and  charmed  with 
woman,  I  would  always  place  before  me  the  full  length 
piece  of  Harriet  Byron.  She  has  fcntiment,  but  fhe 
has  frailty  ;  fhe  hm  fpirit,  but  me  confeffcs  herfelf  to 
have,  likewife,  matter  in  her  compefition. 


So  LETTERS    to    a 

LETTER      XXVII. 

JL  OOR  Louifa,  notwithstanding  all  hergoodnefs,  is, 
a i  prefent,  in  the  greatefi  affliction,  and  for  a  reafon, 
which  reflects  no  little  honor  on  her  leniibility  and  vir- 
tue. 

I  have  juft  received  a  letter  from  her  father,  inform- 
ing me,  that  Dr. ,  Redior  of  B — ,  and  the  coni 

fidential  friend  and  intimate  of  their  family,  is,  very 
p  obably,  on  his  death  bed.  He  was  lately  called  upon, 
it  feems,  to  vifit  one  of  his  hearers,  who  was  fick  with 
a  pjtrid  fore  throat,  and  fever,  and  has  taken  the  in- 
fection. The  phylicians  entertain  but  flender  hopes 
of  his  recovery  ;  and  Philander  *  has  been  admini- 
ftering  to  him  that  holy  facrament,  which,  with  pray- 
ers and  bleffings,  he  has  himfelf  fo  often  administered 
,  to  others.  The  whole  village  is  in  mourning.  All 
the  peafants,  1  am  told,  appear  as-  fheep  without  a 
fhephercl. 

This  good  man  was  well  acquainted  with  every  per- 
fon  in  his  parifh.     He  thought  it  his  duty,  to  vifit  all 
his  hearers,  to  investigate  \\\t\v fpiritual  as  well  as  tern-' 
poral  wants,  and  to  remove  the  former,  whilft  he  ex- 
tended a  liberal  fupply  to  the  latter. 

The  death  of  fuch  a  pe»fon  is  more  than  the  lofs  of 
the  neareit  relatives.     A  good  clergyman,  in  the  country^ 

*  The  fatht-r  of  Louifa, 


YOUNG      LADY.  gi 

Unites,  in  his  own  perfon,  all  the  tender  connexions. 

He  is  father,  brother,  guardian,  all  in  one.     Dr. 

Was  not  only  revered,  as  a  minifter,  but,  in  every  fa- 
mily, welcomed,  as  a  bofom  friend. 

A  religious  paftor,  indeed,  never  fully  knows  the 
comforts  of  his  office,  till  he  is  thus  united  to  his  peo- 
ple, "  till  he  knows  his  fheep,  and  they  follow  him." 
In  fuch  an  intimacy,  hearts  expand  ;  many  excellent 
and  feafonable  advices  may  be  given,  which  the  folem- 
nitv  of  the  pulpit  would  not  admit ;  little  griefs  are 
unbofomed  ;  little  perplexities  are  removed,  and  affec- 
tion fprings  up  by  the  fide  of  duty. 

T  am  going  to  make  a  vifit  to  this  worthy  clergyman, 
tmd  will  give  you  the  earlieft  intelligence  of  the  ftate 
in  which  I  find  him. 


LETTER      XXVIII. 

J_   HE  apprehenfions  concerning  Dr. ,  were  but 

too  well  founded.  He  is,  I  do  believe,  in  the  laft  ftages 
of  his  life.  Death  is  on  the  point  of  doling  his  eyes, 
and  opening  for  him  the  juft  reward  of  all  his  labours 
and  his  zeal. 

I   have  been  with  him  almoft  night  and  day,  ever 
£nce  I  had  the  pleafure  of  writing  to  you,  and  have.ie- 


Sa  LETTERS    to   a 

ceived  a  Wronger  leffon  than  ever,  of  the  vanity  of  all 
earthly  things,  and  the  fupreme  dignity  of  virtue. 

Thefe  folemn  fcenes  wonderfully  improve  the  heart. 
They  ftrip  ambition  of  its  plumage.  The  world  ap- 
pears a  phantom  !  honors  and  promotions  all  a  dream  ! 

Though  I  have  been  much  affected,  yet  I  have  been 
comforted,  in  an  equal  degree,  by  his  cheerful  piety, 
and  edifying  converfation.  His  faith  and  refi^natiorr 
rife  fuperior  to  his  pains.  They  are  literally  big  with 
immortality;  and  he  longs  to  be  diflblved,  and  to  be 
with  Chrift. 

Unwearied  and  exemplary  as  he  has  always  been  in 
the  dii'charge  of  his  paftoral  duties,  he  is  continually 
lamenting  his  want  of  zeal,  vigilance  and  exertion. — 
The  duties  of  the  miniftry  are,  I  do  believe,  beyond 
human  ability :  "who,  fatd  St.  Paul,  is  fufficient  for 
thefe  things  r"  But  when  I  hear  the  declarations  of 
this  excellent  man,  and  compare,  as  it  is  natural,  his 
example  with  my  own,  I  cannot  but  be  ferioufly  a- 
larmed,  and  fketch  out  nothing  for  my  own  laft  mo- 
ments, but  remorfe  and  fears. 

My  good  friend,  and  his  lady,  have  taken  their  laft 
leave.  It  would  have  touched  any  heart  to  have  feen 
this  interview.  I  cannot  do  it  juftice  bywords.  The 
pencil  of  a  Raphael  could  not  fully  reprefent  it.  It- 
was  all  heart  and  foul.  Silent  looks  and  manner  were 
the  principal  language,  and  they  fpoke  indeed  !  Such  a 
woman's  breaft  panting  with  grief,  upon  fuch  an  oc». 
caiion,  rifes  above,  the  powers  of  defcription. 


YOUNGLADY.  83 

u  O  (fays  the  expiring  chriftian,  railing  his  languid 
eyes,  and  endeavouring  to  ufe  a  tongue,  which  death 
had  almoft  palfied)  "be,  as  you  have  been,  the  com- 
"  forters  of  my  people  (for  they,  alas  !  will  feel  a  trdn- 
"  fient  void)  and  our  friendship,  I  doubt  not,  will 
"  ihortly  be  renewed  in  another  life.  Death  can  only, 
"  for  a  little  time,  feparate  thefe  bodies  :  our  real  inter- 
"  efts,  our  forth  and  happinefs  muft  ever  be  united.'' 

Louifa  is  inconfolable.  "  Tears  have  been  her 
"  meat,  day  and  night ;"  and  her  grief  is  the  heavier, 
as  (he  is  not  permitted,  from  motives  of  prudence^  to  fee 
the  laft  ftruggles  of  this  excellent  man,  or  receive  his 
bleffing. 

"  Providence  (fays  the  accomplished  girl)  has  nowy 
<c  but  one  heavier  ftroke  to  inflidt,  and  that  is,  the  death 
"  of  my  father  or  mother.  Indeed,  a  Jecond  father  he 
"  has  always  been  to  me,  in  the  fulleft  fenfe  of  the 
"  word.  What  has  not  this  good  man  done,  what 
"  has  he  not  ever  faid  to  train  my  youthful  fentiments 
"  to  virtue,  and  direct  my  fteps  into  the  way  of  peace  ? 
"  To  him  1  could  difclofe  every  rifing  fear.  To  him 
"  I  could  unbofom  the  anxious  forrow,  that  would 
"  have  lurked  at  my  heart.  But  why  Ihould  I  com- 
"  plain  ?  Have  I  not  ftili  a  thoufand  comforts  fpread 
"  round  my  retirement  ?  Have  1  not  yet  two  parents 
u  left,  accomplished,  as  they  are  tender,  and  watchful, 
"  as  they  are  good  ?  It  is  improper  to  grieve.  I  will 
"  dry  thefe  tears.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what 
"  feemeth  him  good.  The  good  Abraham  was  re*- 
"  quired  to  facritice,  on  the  altar,  with  his  own  hands, 


5|  LETTERS    to    a 

"  an  only  Ton.  And  I  fhould  furely  learn  to  reftgr, 
u  without  murmuring,  whenever  it  Hull  feem  meet  to 
"  his  wifdom  and  goodnefs,  the  neareft  friend." 


L    £     T     T     E     R      XXIX. 


T. 


HE  conflict  is  rinfthed.     The  pangs  are  over. — 

Dr. is  no  more.     He  is   now,   I  truiT,  a  blelled 

fpirit,  and  knows  no  longer  pain,  oriprrow,  or  appre- 


heniion. 


From  the  natural  tendernefs  and  fenfibility  of  his 
temper,  you  may  wonder,  that  he  lived  and  died  un- 
married. But  it  is  a  fecret,  known  only  to  his  inti- 
mate friends,  that  he  had  formed  an  attachment,  in  his 
early  years,  which  being  difappointed  by  the  death  of 
the  lady,  the  delicacy  of  his  mind  never  afterwards  ad- 
mitted of  another.  His  partiality  wa"s  not  of  the  com- 
mon, fugitive  kind.  It  was  a  deep  and  permanent  im- 
prefiion.  Having  once  fondly  loved,  he  attempted  to 
love  no  more. 

As  his  private  fortune  was  comfortable,  and  his  pre- 
ferment gcod,  you  will  conclude,  perhaps,  that  he  di- 
ed very  rich.  But  this  is  not  the  cafe.  The  poor, 
were  constantly  fed  from  his  table,  as  well  as  edified  by 
liis  counfels.  He  was  a  living  example  of  the  charity 
he  recommended,  and  a  witnefs  of  the  truth,  B"  thdt  it 
is  more  blelled  to  give  than  to  receive." 


Y   O  U  N  G      L  AD  Y.  85 

Though  remarkable  for  his  prudence,  as  well  as 
;  paftoral  zeal,  yet  having  but  a  few,  diftant  relatives, 
who  were  all  in  very  eafy  circumftances,  he  has  only 
left  to  each,  an  equal  legacy  of  £  ioo  j  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  £  5000,  he  porTefled,  is  entirely  devoted 
to  charitable  ufes. 

To  each  of  his  three  fervants  he  has  bequeathed  an 
annual  ftipend  of  £  20,  on  this  eafy  condition,  how- 
ever, that  they  be  never  abfent,  when  in  health,  from 
'the  church  or  facrament  ;  that  they  always  appear 
neat  and  decent,  and  that  they  lay  up,  from  their  pit- 
tance, one  fingle  fix-pence  on  the  firft  day  of  every 
week,  to  be  expended  in  charity.  The  rc-fidue  of  his 
fortune  is  to  be  employed,  partly  in  eftablifhing  a  fund 
for  the  diftribution  of  religious  books  and  tracls, 
among  the  poor  and  ignorant  of  his  parim,  at  the 
-difcretion  of  the  minifter ;  and,  partly,  for  the  clothing 
and  educating  a  fpeciried  number  of  boys  and  girls  in 
a  fchool,  which  he  had  founded,  and  very  principally 
fupported,  in  his  life-time. 

My  friend  and  I  are  joint  executors.  To  him  he 
has  demifed  a  considerable  part  of  his  excellent  library  ; 
to  me  a  number  of  books,  which  are  at  once  a  monu- 
ment of  his  tafte  and  friendfhip  ;  to  Mrs. ,  all  the 

elegant  furniture  of  his  drawing-room,  and  to  his 
fweet,  and,  as  he  ftyles  her,  ever  dear  Louifa,  his 
pictures,  ftatues,  bufts  and  petrefadlions,  befide  a  num- 
ber of  devotional  authors,  gilt  and  finished  with  an  e!e  • 

H 


36  LETTERS   to  a 

:   and  beauty,  which  exprefs  the  opinion  he  had 
juiliy  conceived  of  her  cultivated  mind. 

I  lie  poor  girl  was  informed  of  this  legacy,  (he 
buril  into  a  flood  of  tears,  nor  could  all  the  tender 
es  of  her  friends  confole  her.  "  How  Infupport- 
"  able,  (faid  me,)  is  this  man's  generofity  !  with  what 
11  a  cruel  kindnefs  does  he  haunt  me  after  death  !  Had 
u  it  not  been  for  this,  perhaps  I  fhould  more  eafily 
"  have  learned  the  hard  leffon  of  refignation.  But 
u.  this  tenderntfs  renews  my  grief,  and  tears  open 
"  afreih  the  wounds,  which  I  have  been  fummoning 
cc  all  my  fortitude  to  clofe.  But  why  muft  I  not  fee 
"  this  good  man  on  his  death-bed,  to  teftify,  for  the 
"  laft  time,  the  warmth  of  my  gratitude,  and  the  fin- 
"  cerity  of  my  efteem  ? 

"  But  tell  me,  ye,  who  were  admitted  to  his  pre- 
<c  fence,  what  faid  he  of  me,  in  his  lateft  moments  ? 
"  Did  he,  then,  at  all  recollea  his  Louifa  ?  Did  he 
"  even  dance  at  fo  humble  a  name  ?  Did  he  fend  me 
c;  one  precious  word  of  advice  ?  Did  he  conjure  me 
"  never  to  forget  his  directions  ?  Did  he  bid  me  to  be 
<c  virtuous  ;  did  he  bid  me  to  be  happy  ?  Yes,  bleffed 
"  fpirit,  I  will  remember  thy  example :  I  will  treafure 
"  i.p  thy  counfels.  Thy  inftru&ions  (-hall  never  fade. 
a  Thy  memory  (hall  be  immortal. " 

And,  now,   what  is  your  opinion  of  Louifa  ?  What 

think  vou  of  fuch  a  clergyman  ?  What  are  dignities, 

?  •    pared  with  fuch  virtues  ?    What  are  kingdoms, 

tiled  v.-i;h  fuch  joys  ?   Should  not  hiftory  embalm 

relics,  and  mould  not  gratitude  pour  over  his  uti- 

an  undying  perfume  ? 


YOUNG     LADY,  S; 

LETTER       XXX. 


i 


REJOICE  to  hear  that  you  have  fo  great  a  talle 
for  paintings.  You  will  find  it  an  inexhauilible  fource 
of  pleafure  and  improvement.     For, 

"  Each  pleafing  art  lends  foftnefs  to  our  mind, 
"  And  with  our  fludies,  are  our  lives  refin'd." 

I  will  give  you  a  very  handfome  eulogy  on  this  art,  in 
the  words  of  a  great  writer,  Quintilian.  "  Picture 
"  (fays  he)  a  filent  and  uniform  addrefs,  yet  penetrates 
"  fo  deeply  into  our  inmoft  affections,  that  it  feems  of- 
M  ten  to  exceed  even  the  powers  of  eloquence.  Its 
"  effects,  indeed,  are  fometimes  amazing.  It  is  faid, 
"  that  Alexander  trembled,  and  grew  pale,  en  feeing  a 
"  picture  of  Palamedes,  betrayed  to  death  by  his 
"  friends ;  it  bringing  to  his  mind  a  flinging  remem- 
"  brance  of  his  treatment  of  Ariftonicus.  Portia 
"could  bear,  with  an  unfhaken  conftancy,  her  laft  fe- 
4:  paration  from  Brutus  ;  but  when  fhe  Taw,  foire 
"  hours  after,  a  picture  of  the  parting  of  Pleclor  n:id 
u  Andromache,  fhe  burft  into  a  flood  of  tears.  Full 
u  as  feemed  her  forrow,  the  painter  fuggefted  new  ideas 
"of  grief,  or  impreffed  more  ftrOttgly  her  bwti.'* 

Your  queftion  concerning  the  fuperiority  of  the  an- 
cients or  moderns  in  this  particular,  is  very  eafily  an- 
fwcred.     In  mod,  if  nor  all  the  fine  arts,  indeed,  the 
former,  according  to  my  apprehenfion,  are  abfolutelv 
H2 


88  LETTERS    r      , 

unrivalled.     By  the  ancients,  I  now  mean,  particularly 
the  Greeks.. 

Whether  it  was  owing  to  the  particular  nature  and 
freedom  of  their  government — to  the  fuperior  honors 
3nd  encouragement  that  were  lavished  on  genius  and 
the  arts,  in  this  more  early  period  of  fociety — whe- 
ther to  any  particular  fuperiority  of  organization  in 
the  natives  of  this  country — whether  to  its  beautiful 
fcenery,  or  the  allegorical  nature  of  a  religion,  which 
fo  much  called  painting,  poetry  and  fc^pture  .mo  ex- 
ercife — or  whether  we  may  not  afcribe  it  to  an  happy 
combination  of  all  thefe  feparate  caufes,  it  is  certain,  that 
their  tatle  and  imagination  were  exquifite  beyond  thofe 
of  any  other  people,  and  produced  a  degree  of  excel- 
lence in  their  artifts,  that  we  cannot  find  in  any  other 
age  or  country  of  the  world. 

Raphael,  whom  all  Europe  has  fo  much  praifed,  excel- 
led only,  as  he  formed  himfelf  upon  the  model  of  the 
Greeks.  The  Italians  (obferves  an-  able  judge)  may 
excel  in  colouring  ;  but  compofition,  drawing,  the  art 
of  grouping,  attitude^  movement,  expreflion,  contraO, 
drapery,  character  and  grace— all  thefe,  this  great  ge- 
nius confeffedjy  borrowed  from  the  ancient  ftatues  and 
bas  reliefs. 

Palladio  is  the  firft  of  architects,  Michael  Angelo, 
Fiammingo,  Algardi,  the  moft  celebrated  fculptors, 
only  for  the  fame  reafon;  they  ftudied  the  Greeks. — 
Yet  Angelo  was  the  boldeft  genius  that  Italy  ever  had, 
"  It  was  he,  who  conceived  the  idea  of  placing  ths 


YOUNG     LADY.  *9 

pantheon  in  the  air,  and  conftru£ted  the  dome  of  St. 
Peter's  on  the  fame  dimenfions." 

Nor  in  letters  were  the  Greeks  lefs  the  model  of  per- 
fection. To  emulate  their  beft  writers  has  been  the 
ambition  of  every  fucceeding  age.  And  excellence 
fcas  been  attained  only  in  proportion  to  the  fuccefsful- 
nefs  of  this  imitation. 

The  firft  and  moft  complete  poem  in  the  world,  is 
Grecian — the  Iliad  of  Homer.  It  unites  all  the  fepa- 
rate,  aftonifhing  excellencies  of  this  mod  difficult  fpe- 
cies  of  compofition  ;  the  majeftic,  the  terrible,  the  pa- 
thetic and  the  fublime.  Naturaliftsy  philosophers, 
painters,  poets,  orators,  metaphyficians,  have  all,  in 
various  methods,  dug  from  this  mine,  and  frill  left  it 
full  of  inexhauftible  treafures.  It  is  provei: 
known  how  much  the  great  Roman  orator  ftud  ied  Ho- 
mer, and,  indeed,  how  much  he  has  been  praifed  by 
the  whole  world.  I  will  give  you  a  few  teitimonies  in 
his  favour. 

The  firft  critic  that  ever  exifted,  is  Longinus,  who 
wrote  a  treatife  on  the  Sublime  :  This  is  his  opinion  c  f 
the  Iliad  : 

"  Thofe  only,  who  have  fublime  and  folid  tffttftights 
u  can  make  elevated  difcourfes,  and,  in  this  part,  Ho- 
"  mer  chiefly  excels,  whofe  thoughts  are  all  fublime, 
"as  maybe  feen  in  the  defcription  of  the  goddefs 
"  Difcord,  who  has,  fays  he,  her  head  in  the  fkies,  and 
"  her  feet  upon  earth  j  for  it  maybe  faid,  that  tl.Lt 
•*  grandeur  which  he  gives  her,  is  lefe  the  meafure  of 

Hi 


go  L  £  T  T  E  R  S    to   a 

"  Difcord,  than  of  the  capacity  and  elevation  of  Hc- 
"mer's  genius." 

Treatife  on  the  Sublime* 

Again,  in  another  place  :  "  To  Homer,  that  is,  to 
u  him,  who  had  received  the  applaufes  of  the  whole 
"  world." 

And,  in  a  third  pafTage,  mentioning  the  number  of 
men,  who  had  endeavoured  to  imitate  Homer,  he  ob- 
serves : 

"  Plato,  however,  is  he,  who  has  imitated  him  moft, 
"  for  he  has  drawn  from  this  poet,   as  from   a  living 
M  fpring,  from  which  he  has  turned  an  infinite  number. 
"  of  rivulets." 

Another  excellent  judge,  is  Horace,  who  bears  to 
this  prince  of  poets,  this  honorable  teftimony,  that  he 
taught  philofopb} 'better  than  many  who  were  philofo- 
phers  by  profejfion. 

A  third  critic,  of  no  inconfiderable  talents,  has  thefe 
lines  in  his  favour  : 

On  diroit  que  pour  plairc  inftruit  par  la  nature 
Homere  ait  a  Venus  derobe  fa  crinture  ; 
Son  livre  eft  d'agremens  uu  fmile  trafor, 
Tout  ce  qu'il  atouche  fe  convertit  en  or. 

Pcpe's  opinion  of  him,  it  is  not  necefTary  to  recite  ; 
and  the  Jerufalem  Delivered  of  a  great  author,  is,  from 
beginning  to  end,  a  tacit  comment  on,  for  it  isan  at- 
tempt to  imitate  his  greatnefs. 

Let  me  not  omit  the  compliment  of  Dante,  for  it  is 
'.vorth  recording : 


/  OUNG      L  AD  Yv     *  ()l 

Qucgli  e  Omero  poeta  fovrano 
Signor  delT  altifTimo  canto 
Che  fovia  gli  altri,  come  Aquila,  vola. 

The  beft  writers  of  the  Auguftan  age  of  Rome^ 
formed  themfelves  considerably  on  Grecian  models. 
The  moil  perfect  authors  in  England)  France  and  Ita- 
ly j  Addifon,  Pope,  Racine,  Boileau,  Taflb  and  Me. 
taftafio,  took  the  fame  method  to  arrive  at  perfection  >. 
and  one  might  challenge  the  whole  world,  to  produce 
any  other  poem  like  the  Iliad  ;  an  orator  equal  toDe-. 
molthenes  ;  fuch  a  finifhed  tragedy  as  the  Oedipus  of 
Sophocles  ;  any  figure  in  marble,  like  the  Belvedere 
Apollo  j  fuch  fine  and  light  drapery,  as  that  of  the 
Flora,  or  a  female  beauty,  as  perfect  zs  the  Venus  cf 
Medici. 

The  great  Montefquieu  was,  for  fome  time,  in  Ita- 
ly, and,  as  you  may  fuppofe,  no  fuperficial  obferver.— 
This  was  his  decifion  concerning  the  Greeks.  "  Tafte 
"  and  the  arts  have  been  carried,  by  them  to  fuch  an 
"  height,  that  to  think  to  furpafs,  will  be  always  not 
u  to  know  them." 

I  have  been  thus  difFufe  on  a  fubjecl:,  that  may  ap- 
pear^  but  is>  by  no  means,  foreign  to  your  improve- 
ment, or  above  your  compreheniion,  merely  that  you 
might  form  juft  ideas  in  your  favourite  art ;  that  you 
might  know  why  we  fay  fo  much  of  cl?flic  or  ancient 
writers  ;  and  why  every  perfon  (hould  emulate  their 
manner,  who  wifhes,  even  by  a  fnigle  fenrence,  to  pleafe. 
I  will  clofe  this  letter  with  adding  my  oivn  grateful  tri- 
bute to  the  venerable  fha.de  of  a  bard,   that   fo  much 


yi  LETTERS   to  a 

delighted  my  early  years,  and  yet  fills  me  with  a  ple.i- 
fing  enthufiafm,  every  time  I  perufe  him.  I  will  ufe 
the  words  of  a  French  writer  : 

Recois  l'eloge  pur,  1'hommage  merite ; 
Je  le  dois  a  ton  nom,  comme  a  la  verite. 

Art  de  la  Guerr?. 

Receive  this  pure  applaufe,  this  homage  due 
To  thy  great  name,  becaufel  know  'tis  true. 


LETTER      XXXI. 

X  HE  Italians  excel  in  fome  of  the  fine  arts.  In 
muficy  perhaps,  they  may  juftly  claim  a  decifive  fuperi- 
ority.  Of  colouring  they  are  great  mailers.  Among 
many  other  diitinguifhed  painters,  they  boaft  a  Cor- 
rcggio.  No  one  could  do  more  honor  to  any  nation. 
He  is  the  very  pupil  of  nature,  and  has  wonderfully 
united  elegance  and  eafe.  If  Raphael  mines  in  the 
majeftiC)  he  has  all  the  /oft  and  amiupU  graces. 

In  land/cape  painting,  Italy  is  unrivalled.  Thofe  of 
Claude  Lorrain,  are  fu  peri  or  to  any  other  matter's. — 
Perhaps  one  reafon  is,  the  beauty  of  the  fcenes,  from 
which  tfcey  are  taken.  Viewed  collectively,  there  is 
nor,  I  (hould  conceive,  a  more  delightful  and  enchant- 
ing country.  Ir  feems  to  mingle  ail  the  foft  and  mild- 
c    beauties  of  climate,  with  the  magnificent  and  trc- 


YOUNG      LADY. 


93 


jnendous  ;  gentle  hills,  rich  vallies,  fruitful  extenfive 
vineyards,  with  craggy,  rugged  precipices,  with  the 
portentous  afpecl:  and  caverns"  of  JEtna  j  the  bay  of 
Naples,  with  the  formidable  grandeur  and  thunder  of 
Vefuvius. 

No  place  has  been  the  fcene  of  fo  many  memorable 
events,  or  given  birth  to  fuch  a  number  of  diftinguifh- 
ed  men.  Tufcany  produced  Dante,  Petrarch,  and 
Michael  Angelo  ;  Livy  was  born  at  Padua  ;  Titian  at 
Venice,  and  Ariofto  at  Ferrara.  Urbino  is  juftly  proud 
of  Raphael,  and  Parma  of  Correegio.  Rome  claims 
Tacitus  and  Lucretius  ;  Arpinum,  Cicero  ;  and  Venu- 
ftum,  Horace. 

If  my  leifure  and  opportunities  had  been  equal  to 
my  wiihes,  I  mould  have  gloried  in  traverfmg  this 
country.  Every  ftep  would  have  had  a  peculiar  inter- 
eft,  and  every  fcene  revived  thofe  glowing  defcriptions 
of  a  Virgil  or  an  Horace,  that  fafcinated  my  ear liefi 
years.  When  a  perfon  has  been  fome  time  in  the. 
world,  whatever  recalls  xhtfirft  days  of  life,  adminifters 
the  fweeteft  pleafure.  It  is  the  piclure  of  innocence 
and  tranquility,  whilft  our  maturer  age  is  often  a  buf- 
tle  or  a  ftorm. 

In  ancient  Rome,  it  was  a  confefTed  maxim,  that 
true  politenefs  and  tafte  were  derived  from  the  Greci- 
ans. And  the  Italian  artifts  frill  owe  much  of  their 
excellence  to  thefe  primitive  matters. 

The  literary  tafte  of  the  Italians  is  very  exception- 
able. It  is  a  falfe  fublime,  a  fictitious  glitter,  and  a 
barren  abundance,  and  has  loft  the  true  Attic  fait  oi 


LETTERS      to   a 

nature,  of  truth  and  Simplicity.  Hence  they  are  faM 
to  prefer  the  gothic  works  of  Dante,  the  abfurdities 
of  Ariofto,  the  extravagances  of  Marini,  and  the  tin  - 
feJ  puerilities  of  TafTo,  to  the  tender  and  impafTioned 
defcriptions  of  Metaftafio. 

The  French  feem  to  think  themfelves  exclufive  pro- 
prietors of  every  thing  that  goes  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  tafte.  And,  indeed,  they  are  univerfally  ef- 
teemed  a  polifhed,  eafy,  graceful  and  feducing  people. 
Few  of  their  writers,  however,  have  much  of  the  pro- 
found, or  that  bids  fair  for  duration.  Of  a// people, 
they  feem  leafl  to  have  ftudied  theclaflics.  Their  ftyle, 
in  general,  wants  energy  and  compaclnefs.  In  many 
words,  they  communicate  but  few  ideas,  and  their  im- 
agination is  permitted  to  run  wild,  without  hearkening 
to  the  fober  dictates  of  judgment.  Though  trees  in 
bloffom,  are  a  beautiful  object,  yet  the  folid  advantage 
lies  in  their  fruit.  I  could  except  many  great  names 
from  this,  apparently,  invidious  cenfure.  One,  parti- 
cularly, I  will  mention — that  is,  Montefquieu.  This 
man  will  do  them  honor  with  all  other  nations,  and 
the  moft  diftant  posterity.  His  Efprit  de  Loix  is,  in- 
deed, a  moft  aftonifhing  performance.  It  unites  the 
depth,  the  phlegm  and  patience  of  fome  other  coun- 
tries, with  the  vivacity  of  that,  in  which  it  fprung. 

I  do  not  think  that  England  is,  by  any  means,  ei- 
ther from  climate,  or  other  fofteringcircumftances,  the 
natural  foil  of  xhtflne  arts.  The  hot-bed  of  riches,  it 
is  true,  has  raifed  a  few  exotics,  in  this  way,  to  a  fupe- 
x\ov  flavour  ;    and  public  encouragement  tailed  fortlv 


Y,0  U  N  G      LA  D  Y.  95 

w:any  virtuofos  from  other  countries.  But,  in  fact, 
we  are  too  much  engaged  with  trade  and  politics  to 
cultivate,  in  any  extraordinary  degree,  tl\G  finer  emoti- 
ons. Commercial  habits,  manufactures,  and  the  love 
of  money,  wherever  they  prevail,  will  always  be  the 
grave  of  virtue  and  of  talk.  In  point  of  polite  learning, 
this  kingdom  has,  long  iince,  according  to  my  appre- 
henfion,  been  at  its  zenith.  The  fun  of  its  Auguffon 
age  appears  to  be  fet.  But  for  profound  knowledge  and 
genius,  no  nation,  perhaps,  in  the  known  world,  has 
been  more  difhnguifhed.  Shakefpeare,  Milton,  Locke, 
Sir  Ifaac  Newton  !  What  other  country  can  produce 
fuch  a  group  ?  Nor  mall  we  want  models  of  the  mod 
graceful  in  writings  whillr.  we  can  read  the  works  of 
Addifon,  many  papers  in  the  World,  the  Letters  of 
Lady  Wordy  Montague,  or  thofe  of  Chefhrfield. 

I  do  not  mean  to  deny,  but  that  general  Jcience  is 
more  cultivated  among  the  moderns,  than  it  ever  was 
by  the  ancients,  and,  in  the  prcjent  age,  more  than  at 
any  former  period  whatever.  Natural  philofophy,  in 
all  its  branches,  chymiltry,  mathematics,  hiftory,  poli- 
tics, jurifprudence,  and  the  mechanical  arts,  have  ar- 
rived to  a  wonderful  degree  of  perfection,  and  are  dai- 
ly receiving  frefli  accefiions  of  improvement.  But  I 
muft  ftill  afTerr,  that  polite  learning  feems  to  have  flou- 
rifhecl  moil  in  the  days  of  Swift,  Pope  and  Addifon. 
What  can  be  the  reafon  ?  Is  it  that  being  then  more 
new,  as  having  but  juft  emerged  from  the  da/knefs  of 
the  times,  it  was  treated  with  that  fuperior  re'fpedt  and 
deference,  we  extend  to  a  ftranger  r  Is  there  a  greater 


e,6  LETTERS     to   a 

dtarth  of  real  genius  ?  That  we  cannot  fuppofe,  if  we 
give  ourfelves  only  leifure  to  confider  the  many  exalted 
characters  which  Britain  boafts.  The  cafe,  I  think,  is 
clear,  that  a  moft  extended  commerce  has  debafed  our 
feelings,  and  vitiated  our  taite  j  that  th€  grand,  politic 
c^/intereits  of  the  nation,  as  it  is  now  circumftanced} 
require  a  moft  unremitting  attention  ;  that  the  high 
road  to  honors  and  emoluments,  chiefly  lying  through 
the  bar  or  feriate,  the  greateft  talents  in  the  kingdom 
are  turned  into  thefe  channels.  Men  rather  chufe  to 
wrangle  and  debate  themfelves  into  affluence  and  titles, 
than  ftarve  on  the  mere  fhadoivy  fame  of  an  elegant 
production. 

Wherever  there  is  hope  of  patronage,  genius  fprings 
of  courfe  ;  and  though  his  prefent  Majeity  has  always 
been  a  liberal  encourager  of  polite  knowledge,  yet  no- 
thing can  effectually  counteract  the  wide,  and  moft  un- 
limited agency  of  this  national  fituation. 

Many  writers,  in  our  Anguf.an  age,  arrived  by  their 
labours  merely,  not  only  to  confiderable  affluence,  but 
to  high  distinctions.  They  were  careffed  and  honor- 
ed in  the  moft  fashionable  circles.  To  reward  and 
patronize  talents,  was  a  glory  and  a  pride.  It  is  very 
obferva'^le,  that  all  the  great,  literary  characters,  of  the 
prefent  times,  who  were  born  neareft  to  the  period 
which  I  have  defcribed,  retain  moft  of  this  liberal,  pa- 
tronizing fpirit.  I  could,  with  great  truth  and  feel- 
ing mention  fonre  names,  if  fituation  and  peculiar  cir- 
cumstances would  not  expofe  me  to  the  falfe  fufpicion 
of  intending  to  pronounce  fulfome  panegyrics.     But 


YOUNG      LADY.  97 

will  not  the  whole  world  acquit  me  of  partiality,  if  I 
glance  at  fuch  illuftrious  names  as  the  A — b — p  of 
Y— k,  the  prefent  Lord  C— -1— r,  or  the  Earl  of  M—  s- 
f— d? 


LETTER      XXXII. 


Y 


OUR  knowledge  of  the  Italian  language  is  much 
fuperior  to  my  own.  The  little  that  I  have^  was  ac- 
quired, merely  to  read  a  few  productions  of  their  be:l 
authors,  and  be  able  to  form  fome  comparative  idea  of 
their  merits  or  defects. 

I  am  far  from  denying  to  this  people  the  praife  of 
great  genius.  But  I  fliould  fuppofe  that  it  is  not  proper- 
ly cultivated,  and  the  reafon,  perhaps,  may  be,  that 
in  modern  Italy,  learning  meets  with  but  little  encou- 

gement. 

The  bad  tafte  of  the  Italians  in  poetry^  is  obvious, 
from  many  initances.  Dante,  in  their  estimation,  is 
fuperior  to  all  men  ;  and  Arioflo,  whom  they  confider 
3s  much  beneath  him,  they  exalt  far  above  Homer 
himfelf. 

Dante  had,  doubtlefs,  wonderful  abilities.  He  rifes, 
in  many  inftances,  to  the  fublime  j  and,  for  the  time^ 
in  which  he  lived,  may  juftly  be  confidered  as  a  literary 

I 


93  LETTERS    to    a 

;v.  But  his  work,  on  the  whole,  is  but  a  tothtc 
mafs  of  various  kinds  of  knowledge,  ftrangely  heaped 

;her,  without  arrangement,  defign,  or  perfpicuity. 
To  compare  him  with  the  author  of  Iliady  is  to  betray 
a  totai  want  of  all  the  principles  of  enlightened  criti« 
dim. 

Ariofto  fliines  in   narrative.     He  tells  a   (lory  uith 

;:u!nefs  and  eafe.  Some  of  his  defcriptions  arc 
particularly  fplendid  ;  and  his  Orlando  Kuriofo  is 
lively,  and  wonderfully  various  production.  But  hoW 
frequently  does  he  fall  into  ridiculous  absurdities,  where 
lie  entirely  lofes  fight  of  nature  and  of  truth,  forget- 
ting that  excellent  rule  of  a  judicious  critic  : 

Tout  doit  tendre  au  bon  fens  ; 
Ren  n'tft  beaii  que  le  vrai,  le  vrai  fcul  tft  amia'.le. 

Let  fenfe  be  ever  in  your  view, 
Nothing  is  beautiful,  that  is  not  true  ; 
The  true  alone  is  lcvely. 

TafTo's  Gerufalemme  Liberata  has,  indifputably,  great 
merit.  The  fubjecl:  is  grand,  and  very  happily  cho- 
ice ;  the  language  elegant  ;  the  verfification  harmoni- 
ous :  but  who  can  fay,  that  it  does  not  abound  with 
faMe  thoughts,  with  infinite  inftances  of  playing  upon 
word*)  and  a  prodigious  quantity  of  tinfel,  or  that  it  is 
not,  in  the  main,  disfigured  with  low  conceits,  and  tri- 
lling puerilities. 

No  Italian  writer  interefts  to  much,  or  has  fo  nicely 

developed  the  human  heart,  as  Metajlafio,     He  had 

crreat  advantages  by  being  introduced,  at  an  early  period 

is  life,  into  the  family  of  the  celebrated  Gravina, 


YOUNG     LADY»  9$ 

and  there  learning  to  explode  'the  falfe  tafte  of  bis 
country.  He  formed  himfelf  en  the  model  of  the  an- 
cients. Ke  took'Boiieau  and  Horace  for  his  guides, 
and  few  men  have  fucceeded  better  in  painting  tender 
fcenes,  or  leaving  a  durable  impreflion  on  the  heart. 
Read  his  Canzonettes,  particularly  that  which  begins 
with  Gra&e  ogf  inganni  tuoi  \  and  tell  me  whether  I 
have  formed  an  improper  judgment. 


LETTER      XXXIH. 

j^  HAVE  now  finished  my  recommendation  of  au- 
thors. I  am  apprehenfive,  indeed,  of  having  mention- 
ed too  many.  But  from  the  whole,  you  can  felecl  the 
few  you  like,  or  which  it  is  moil  convenient  for  you  to 
purchafe. 

Some  of  thefe  bocks,  particularly  thofe  which  treat 
on  religious  fubjecls,  may  not  entertain  you  fo  much 
at  prefent,  as  they  will  at  fome  future  period,  when 
your  tafte  and  judgment  are  more  effectually  ripened  ; 
but  I  did  not  know  whether  then  I  might  have  the  op- 
portunity of  writing  to  you,  or  whether  I  ihould  even 
be  in  the  world  ;  and  I  wifhed  to  give  you  fomething 
©f  a  fxjlcmatic  plan,  that  might  be  confulted  through 
every  ft  age  of  your  life. 

12 


ioo  L  E  T  T  E  R  S   to    a 

The  criticifms  upon  books,  characters,  &c.  have 
not  been  introduced  from  a  faftidious  fpirit,  or  with  a 
view  of  difplaying  learning  and  talents,  but  to  exercife 
and  improve  your  difcriminating  faculties,  and  enliven 
the,  9therwifey  dull  uniformity  of  didactic  letters.  I 
have  only  prefumed  to  give  my  opinion  ;  and  to  this> 
in  a  land  of  liberty,  and  an  enlightened  age,  I  con- 
ceive myfelf  to  have  an  equal  right  with  the  firit  fcho- 
Jar,  or  critic  of  the  world. 

Lou'ifa,  you  well  know,  is  not  a fiflitious,  but  a  real 
•  character  ;  and,  though  my  partiality  may  have  heigh- 
tened her  merit,  yet,  after  all,  it  is  inexprefTibly  great ; 
and  I  introduced  her.  as  a  pattern  of  female  graces, 
merely  to  avoid  the  formality  of  precepts,  and  the  au- 
thoritative airs  of  a  teacher.  I  confidered  this  mode, 
as  likely  to  communicate  fome  little  interefl  and  variety 
to  my  letters  ;  and  that  appeared  to  me  a  motive, 
which,  with  all  young  people,  fhould  be  confulted. 

On  the  whole,  confider  me  not  as  dogmatizing  but 
only  as  communicating  to  you,  with  great  freedom  and 
iinccrity,  the  belt  fentiments  I  can  ;  thofe,  which  con- 
vince your  understanding,  receive  with  candor;  the 
reft,  reject,  and  do  not  fancy  me  fo  conceited,  as  even 
for  a  moment,  to  have  perfuaded  myfelf,  that  from  my 
tribunal,  there  lies  no  appeal. 


YOUNG      LADY. 
LETTER      XXXIV. 

MY    DEAR   LUCY, 


I 


F  I  was  called  upon  to  write  the  hiitory  of  a  wo* 
maris  trials  and  forrows,  I  vvou!d  date  it  from  the  mo- 
ment when  nature  has  pronounced  her  marriageable^ 
and  me  feels  that  innocent  defire  of  aflbciating  with 
the  other  fex,  which  needs  not  a  hlufh.  If  I  had  a 
girl  of  my  own,  at  this  critical  age,  I  mould  be  full  of 
the  keeneft  apprehenfions  for  her  fafety  ;  and,  like  the 
great  poet,  when  the  tempter  was  bent  on  feducing 
ourfirft  parents  from  their  innocence  and  happinefs,  I 
fhould  invoke  the  affiirance  of  fome  guardian  angel,  to 
conduct  her  through  the  flippery  and  dangerous  paths. 

You  muft  remember  the  pafTage  j 

"  O  for  that  warning  voice,  which  he,  who  heard," 
«  &c. 

Marriage  is,  doubtlefs,  the  mod  natural,  innocent 
and  ufeful  ftate,  if  you  can  form  it  to  any  tolerable  ad- 
vantage. It  bids  faired  for  that  little  portion  of  hap- 
pinefs, which  this  life  admits  ;  and  is^  in  fome  degree, 
a  duty  which  we  owe  to  the  world.  If  entered  into 
from  proper  motives,  it  is  a  fource  of  the  greateft  be- 
nefits to  the  community,  as  well  as  of  private  comfort 
to  ourfelves.  What  are  the  higher!,  bleflings,  unfweet- 
ened  by  fociety  ?  Flow  poignant  are  many  forrows  of 
a  friend  to  alleviate  and  divide  them!  — 

13 


lea  LETTERS    to    a 

How  many  are  the  moments,  how  many  are  the 
gencies,  in  which  we  want  fympathy,  tendernefs,  at- 
tention !  And  what  is  a  moping  individual  to  the 
•world,  compared  with  the  woman  who  acls  in  the  ten- 
der character  of  a  wife,  or  parent,  and,  by  a  religious 
culture  of  an  offspring,  is  training  up  inhabitants  for 
the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

A  Jingle  woman  is,  particularly,  defencelefs.  She  can- 
not move  beyond  the  precincls  of  her  houfe,  without 
apprehenfions.  She  cannot  go  with  eafe  or  fafety,  in- 
to public.  She  is  furrounded  with  many,  real  dangers, 
and  fancy  conjures  up  more  fpe&res  of  its  own,  to  dif- 
turb  her  repofe. 

As  me  goes  down  the  hill  of  life,  her  friends  gradu- 
ally drop  away  from  her,  like  leaves  in  the  autumn, 
and  leave  her  a  pining,  folitary  creature.  Evsn  bro~ 
ihers  and  fjlers,  when  married  themfelves,  lofe  their 
ufual  fondnefs  for  for,  in  the  ardors  of  a  newly  ac- 
quired connexion ;  and  file  wanders  through  a  wide, 
buttling  world,  uncomfortable  in  herfelf,  unintereiting 
to  others,  frequently  the  fpert  of  wanton  ridicule,  or  a 
proverb  of  reproach. 

Men  are  often  tco  much  ongrofled  with  bufmefs, 
ambition,  or  criminal  purfuits,  to  think  very  ferioufly 
of  this  connexion  ;  but,  if  they  happen  to  remain/"/^ />> 
their  very  efibrts  become  their  amufement,  and  keep 
them  from  experiencing  that  unyiiet  indolence,  which, 
by  enervating  the  mind,  powerfully  awakens  imagina- 
tion and  the  fenfes.  A  woman  has  abundant  leifure  to 
brood  over  her  inquietude,  and  to  nurfe  the  vapours, 
till  they  terminate  in  difeafe.     She   has  not  fo  many 


YOUNG      LADY 


103 


methods  for  dijjipating  thought.  Her  element  is  her 
boufehold^  and  the  management  of  her  children  •>  and 
till  the  becomes  a  mother*,  me  has  not  objects  of  con- 
fequence  enough  to  occupy  the  mind,  and  preferve 
it  from  feeling  unpleafant  agitations. 

I  mean  not,  however,  to  infmuate,  that  there  is  any 
thing  really  reproachful  in  virginity-,  unlefs  a  woman 
choofes  to  render  it  fuch,  by  verifying  the  ftigmas,  which 
have  been  fixed  upon  it,  and  fubflantiating,  in  her  cun 
practice,  the  malevolence,  envy,  fcandal,  curiofity  and 
fpleen,  which  have,  fo  often,  farcaftically  been  imputed 
to  the  Jiflerhood.  It  may  be,  and,  fometimes,  /V,  the 
choice  of  very  amiable  women,  who  would  not  marry 
any,  but  the  man  of  their  affections,  or  with  whom 
they  had  a  rational  profpecl  of  happinefs  ;  who  having 
been,  by  death  or  difappointment,  deprived  of  one,  had 
a  delicacy,  that  never  admitted  the  idea  of  a  fecond 
attachment,  or  who  were  not  fo  devoid  of  principle 
and  tafte,  as  to  be  coonected  with  a  dijjolute,  drunken, 
or  abandoned perfon,  whatever  might  be  his  fortune,  or 
confequence,  or  connexions.  Women,  who  a£t  from 
fuch  principles,  may  be  expofed  to  the  indelicate  fcofrs 
of  the  licentious,  but  muft  have  the  unreferved  efteem 
and  veneration  of  all  the  fenfible  and  the  good. 

It  fhould  not,  however,  be  diflembled  (for  it  arifcs 
from  natural  principles)  that  married  women  are  gene- 
rally more  pleafmg,  than  fuch  as  never  formed  this 
connexion.  Their  heart  is  continually  refined,  foften- 
cd  and  enlarged  by  the  exercife  of  all  the  Under  feel- 
ings to  an  offspring,  whilft   the  weighty  concerns  of 


104 


LETTERS    to 


their  particular  families,  raife  them  above  that  frivolous 
infipidity,  which,  with  whatever  juftice,  is  the  prover- 
bial ftigma  of  a  fingle  ftate. 

A  married  woman,  likewife,  has  banimed  that  my 
referve,  which  young  ladies  think  themfelves,  and,  indeed, 
in  fome  degree,  are  obliged  to  pra&ife,  but  which,  ne- 
ceiTary  as  it  maybe,  conceals  many  of  their  lovelieft 
graces.  The  fociety,  moreover,  of  a  fcnfible  man,  gives 
to  a  female,  a  richer  fund  of  ideas,  a  fuperior  mode  of 
thinking  and  acting,  agreeably  tempers  her  vivacity  with 
ferioufnefs,  and  introduces  her  to  many  improving  ac- 
quaintance, and  entertaining  circles,  from  which  the 
ceremonious  eoldnefs  of  a  virgin  ftate,  mud  have  kept  her, 
at  an  unapproachable  diftance. 

Be  not,  however,  difappointed,  if  all  your  merit  and 
amiablenefs,  do  not  fecure  to  you  fuch  a  connexion,  as 
your  principles  and  judgment  can  approve. 

The  lives  of  young  men  are  (o  undorneflicatcd,  and,  in- 
deed, fo  criminal,  thar  deferving  women,  in  theprefent 
age,  are  far  from  receiving  thofe  attentions  and  civili- 
ties, to  which,  on  every  principle  of  juftice  and  polite- 
nefs,  they  are  certainly  entitled. 

In  proportion  as  the  morals  of  men  are  depraved, 
marriage  will,  always,  be  unfafhionable  and  rare  ;  and 
there  are  thoufands  among  us,  who  have  neither  know- 
ledge,  fenfe  or  virtue  enough  to  wifh  for  all  that  deli- 
cacy of  friend fhip,  fprightlinefs  of  converfation,  or 
cafe  of  manners,  which  only  an  accomplished  woman 
cr.n  beftow,  cr  for  thofe  innocent  domrjfic  enjoyments,, 
which  communicate  the  high  eft  flavour  to,  and  are  the 


YOUNG      LADY. 


105 


grand  and  ultimate  end  of  an  intercourfe  betwixt  the 
fexes. 

Pleas  of  inability  to  fupport  a  family,  of  the  expenfive- 
nefs  of  wives,  and  their  propenfity  to  fplendor  and  dif- 
fipation  are  ufed,  I  know,  by  fome,  to  foften  their  mif- 
conducl;,  and  throw  zjitmfy  veil  over  their  crimes. 

This  is  not  a  proper  place  for  reafoning  with  liber- 
tines or  rakes.  Still,  from  their  arguments,  however 
trifling  or  fallacious,  you  may  deduce  this  ufe- 
ful  leflbn  j  that  an  extravagant  turn  for  finery  and 
(hew,  is  a  great  difadvantage  to  every  woman, 
that  it  is  adverfe  to  all  her  happieft  profpecls,  and 
prevents  not  a  few  from  ever  addrefling  her,  who,  in 
reality,  might  have  been  the  molt  faithful  and  obliging 
companions  through  life.  Though  immoral  perfons 
make  this  apology,  from  very  unjuftifiable  motives, 
yet  many  others,  in  moderate  circumftances,  might 
advance  it  with  truth  ;  who,  though  they  neither 
want  integrity,  knowledge,  nor  a  fenfibility  to  the 
charms  and  merit  of  a  woman,  would,  yet,  never  think 
of  degrading  her  to  a  condition,  which  they  conceive 
to  be  beneath  her  wifhes  and  her  habits. 

I  have  long  confidered  the  immoderate  expenfive- 
nefs  of  young  ladies,  as,  by  no  means,  favourable  to 
their  profpedfo  or  happinefs,  in  any  view.  No  parent 
can  take  a  more  certain  method  to  make  a  daughter's 
life  a  fcene  of  continual  irritation  and  misfortune,  than 
by  thus  ridiculoufly  training  her  to  high  expectations. 
It  has  been  the  gradual  death  of  many  ;  it  has  made 
the  exiftence  of  others  a  burden,  heavy  to  be  borne. 
Nor  can  there  even,  in  point  of  real  tafle,  be  a  greater 


ic6  LETTERS    to 


■ke  in  education.  True  dignity  c'orififteth  not  in 
tinfel  or  (hew.  The  neareft  approach  we  can  make  to 
Jupcrior  fpirits,  is  to  have  as  few  wants  as  pofiible, 
whilil  we  inhabit  this  tenement  of  clay. 


L    K    T    T    E    R      XXXV. 


i 


N  your  manner  with  the  fex  at  large,  I  could  wtfh 
}  on  to  avoid  the  modern  forwardnefs,  as  well  as  that 
Jhy  refer vc,  which  throws  a  damp  on  all  the  innocent 
gaieties  of  life.  The  firft:  bears  upon  its  face,  a  mef- 
culine  indelicacy  ;  the  other  is  the  effect  of  downright 
prudery,  ill-breedine,  or  affectation. 

Some  women  affeel:  a  coldnefs  in  their  deportment,  and 
a£t,  as  if  they  fuppofed  that  every  man,  who  approach- 
es them,  had  a  defign  on  their  perfon.  -  Alas  1  how 
miferably  are  they  deceived  !  How  ridiculous  is  the 
vanity  which  gives  birth  to  fuch  a  conduft  !  Men  are 
•fo  much  engaged  in  bufinefs,  pleafure,  and  the  amufe- 
ments  of  the  world,  that  the  conqueft  of  Jl female  heart 
is  often  thought  beneath  their  ambition.  At  any  rate,  it  is 
time  enough  to  be  upon  your  guard,  when  you  really 
perceive  them  bent  on  making  ferious  advances. 

Many  of  them  will  approach  you'  with  flatlety. 
This,  they  have  been  led  to  think,  the  only  current 
coin,  with  the  generality  of  females.     If  it  be  not  very 


Y  O  U  N  G     L  A  D  Y.  107 

fr^/5,  bear  it  with  good  humour.  Though  you  may 
defpifc)  do  not  wantonly  return  it,  with  contempt. 
This  is  the  method  to  make  them  enemies,  and  put 
them  on  avoiding  your  fociety  for  ever.  You  may 
eafdy  be  civil,  and  yet  convince  them  by  your  looks 
and  manner,  that  you  perfectly  underftand  hew  to  ap- 
preciate indifcriminatt  complaiiance. 

Though,  by  no  means,  feriouJJy  bent  upon  mc.irirnony, 
yet  not  a  few  of  them,  will  pay  you  flattering  atten- 
tions. Tbefey  if  you  be  not  cautious,  may,  very  in- 
fenfibly,  foftenyour  heart,  andenfnare  your  affections, 
particularly  if  they  come  from  men,  whofe^*;/*;-*/ cha- 
racter or  manners  you  efteem.  One  caution,  there- 
fore, permit  me  to  give  you,  with  an  ajjurance  thai:  it 
mult  be  religioujly  obferved,  as  you  value  either  your,  dig  - 
.  nityor  repofe — never  to  believe  any  man  in  earneft,  till 
he  makes  the  moft  pointed  declarations  in  your  favour. 

Fajhion  has  made  it  fo  much  a  matter  of  form  to  pay 
attentions  to  a  woman,  and,  particularly,  if  me  is 
fmart,  witty,  beautiful  ;  if  file  is  celebrated  for  high 
connexions,  or  accomplishments,  or  makes  a  good 
figure  in  public,  that  numbers  of  men  will  be  mechani- 
cally led  to  flutter  about  you,  who,  infatl^  mean  only 
to  amufe  the  moment,  or  do  honour  to  their  own  good 
breeding  and  politenefs. 

;lieye,  me,  my  dear  girl,  this  gay  and  lively  feafon 

Villi  Joan  be   at  an  end.      Girls,  that  dwell  on  every 

, body's  tongue,  and  fport   away,    in  all   their  gaudy 

^colours,  during  fiunmer   months,  like  buUsrfljies,  arc 

er  heard  of  in  the  winter^  but  fink  into   a   torpid 


xoS  LETTERS    to    a 

ftate.  They  do  not,  however,  refemble  fome  infects 
in  the  very  happy,  and  enviable,  privilege  of  riling  with 
renewed  charms.  Ohce  forgotten,  they  feldom  revive, 
but  are  difplaced  by  otber^  riling  favourities,  for  ever  ; 
and  it  has  often  been  obfcrved,  that  thofe  women  are 
moft  rarely  thought  of  for  wives,  with  whom  we  are 
the  fon<ft.ft  of  (what  is  called,)  flirting,  and  of  faying 
a  thoufand,  civil  things,  without  meaning  or  defign. 

With  men  of  principle  and  integrity,  you  are  al- 
ways fecure.  They  will  religioufly  beware  of  enga- 
ging your  affections,  without  honourable  views.  But 
tbefe,  alas  !  where  women  are  concerned,  are  not  fo  nu- 
merous, as  might  be  expected.  More  breaches  of  fi- 
delity arc  obfervable  in  this  intercourse,  than  in  any  o- 
ther  inftance  of  the  moft  trifling  importance. 

To  entertain  a  fecret  partiality  for  a  man,  without 
knowing  it  reciprocal^  is  dreadful  indeed.  If  you  have 
addrefs  and  fortitude  enough  not  to  betray  it,  and  thus 
expofe  yourfelf  to  ridicule  and  cenfure  (and  yet  what 
prudence  is  always  equal  to  the  tafk  ?)  it  will  coft  you 
infinite  grief,  anxiety  and  vexation  \  and  a  victory  over 
yourfelf,  if  you  do  gain  it  ;  may  be,  at  the  expenfe  of 
your  health  and  conftitution.  Jt  will,  at  the  fame 
time,  totally  unfit  you  for  any  other  connexion  ;  for 
who  would  ta!;e  the  body%  when  another  perfon  is  in 
poiTeffion  of  th&fou,l? 

If  any  man,  therefore,  can  deliberately  be  fo  cruel,  as 
to  vifit  you  frequently,  and  fhew  you  every  particularity, 
that  is  only  mort  of  this  grand  explanation,  never  fee 
ban  in   private  ;  and,  if  that  be  infuflicienr,  and  you 


YOUNG      LADY.  .  icn 

ftill  feel  tender  fentiments  toward  him,  determine  to 
(•huti  his  company  for  ever.  It  is  eafief,  remember,  to 
extinguilh  a  fire,  that  has  but  jitfl  broken  out,  than  one, 
which  has  been  gathering  ftrength  and  violence,  from  a 
long  concealment.  Many  have  neglected  this  neceflary 
precaution,  artd  died  hlcnt  martyrs  to  their  fondrtefs  and 
imprudence.  The  eye  of  beauty  has  langulficd  in  fo- 
litude,  or  been  dimmed  with  a  flood  of  IrrsmcdiabJi 
tears.  The  heart  has  throbbed  with  'unconquerable  tu- 
mults, which,  gradually  have  diflblved  an  elegant  frame., 
that  deferved  a  much  better  fate.  Undifcovered  by  the 
phyfician,  they  have  baffled  all  the  refources  of  his 
(kill  ;  they  have  rendered  ineffectual  all  the  tendcrnefs 
of  friends,  and  death  alone  has  adminiftcred  that  eafe, 
which  neither  beauty,  friends,  nor  fortune,  could  be- 
ftow. 

It  is  pofilble,  that  men  may  not  always  acl:  from  ?::■:-. 
ar.iiablc  motives,  when  they  carry  their  attentions  to  a 
confiderable  height,  without  an  explanation.  Their 
tafte  may  have  privately  fingled  you  out  from  all  the 
reft  of  the  world,  whilft  Providence  has  not  propitious- 
ly raifed  them  to  circumftances,  which  they  conceive 
to  be  worth  your  acceptance.  They  may  have  a  de- 
licacy, a  dignity,  and  independence  of  mind,  which 
would  not  eafily  brook  a  repulf;  or  an  tnferiot  fituatiori ; 
and  they  may  be,  very  honourably,  probing  by  thefc,  lit- 
tle methods,  the  itate  of  your  inclinations. 

Of  /^circumftances,  you  muft  endeavour  to  jud~o 
for  yourtelf,  or  get  fome  difecrning,  impartial  and  more 

vol.  II.  K 


no  LE  TTE  R.S    to    a 

mud  fnend  to  be  your  advifer.  If  you  fufpc 
j  erlbn's  conduct  to  arifc  from  fuch  motives,  you  can- 
u  >t  treat  him  with  too  much  attention.  He  has  paid 
you,  in  the  moil:  delicate  and  flattering  manner,  the 
hjghsft  compliment  in  the  world  ;  and  you  may  de- 
pend on- his  affection  being  move  fncere,  in  proportion 
as  it  is  lefs  afiuming,  confident,  or  obtrufevc. 

If  you  have  any  regard  for  fuch  a  character,  his  pe- 
netration will  have  difcovered  it.  Ufe  no  affetfation  to 
him.  He  will  fee  through  all  its  flimfy  difguifes.  At- 
tempt  no  prudery  •>  lie  will  behold  your  bofom  panting 
through  the  thin, /light  veil,  and  the  hypocrify  will  dif- 
guft.  Talk  not  of  fortune  or  circiunflances ;  they  have 
been  the  objects  of  bis  confideration.  I  know  no  me- 
thod, but,  with  an  honeit  candour,  to  throw  yourfeJf, 
a  fair,  enchanting  object,  on  his  generous  protection. 
If,  by  any  concealment,  you  fhould  hurt  that  felf-confci- 
ous  dignity  and  affection,  which  will,  always,  attend 
fuch  a  mind  as  this,  he  will  never  again  fue  to  your 
clemency,  but  leave  you  to  ruminate  on  the  artifices,  you 
have  ufed,  in  an  hopelefs  repentance. 

If  you  fuppofe,  on  the  other  hand,  that  any  perfon 
dallies  with  your  feelings,  from  zuantonmfsy  or  mere  a- 
mufement,  you  cannot  fhew  him  too  marked  a  con- 
tempt. Though  delicacy  will  not  permit  you  to  glance 
at  the  particular  impropriety  of  his  conduct,  yet  there 
are  a  thoufand  methods  of  making  him  feel  his  own  /';/- 
fignifcance,  and  of  changing  the  little  plumage  of  his 
vanity,  into  a  monument  of  his  fhame. 


YOUNG      LADY.  nr 

.ere  is  fomething  [o  unmanly  in  fportlng  with  the 
render  feelings  of  a  woman  ;  there  is  fomething  fo  tru- 
ly defpicable  in  the  character  of  a  perfon,  who  wifhes  a 
confequence,  built  upon  the  tears  and  c'iftrcfTes  of  thofe, 
whom  all  great  and  generous  minds  are  difpofed  to 
protect,  that,  if  a  female  eoquette  is  odious  to  your  fex, 
a  male  one  lhould  be  doubly  abhorred  by  his  ffwrt. 

If  a  perfon  once  comes  to  a  ferious  declaration  in 
your  favour,  affect  no  prudtjh  airs  of  referve.  If  you 
really  feel  an  affecYion  for  him,  and  can  indulge  it  with 
prudence,  do  not  feruplc  to  acknowledge  it,  or  to  treat 
him  with  the  greateft  opennej's  and  candor.  This  will 
engage,  for  ever,  the  efreem  of  every  liberal  and  honed 
man.  If,  from  any  circumftances,  unforefeen  at  the 
time,  you  fhould  be  under  the  ncceffity  of  difmijjing 
him,  as  a  lover,  you  will  never  fail  to  retain  him,  as  a 
friend;  and  though,  with  a  bafe,  drfigning  perfon,  fuch 
a  conduct  may  expofe  you  to  fome  little  inconvenience, 
yet  wbofs  will  be  the  difgrace  ?  Leave  him  to  the  con- 
tempt and  indignation  of  the  fenlible,  and  let  hint 
make  the  moil  of  the  god-like  reflection,  that  he  has  en- 
deavoured to  triumph  over  artlrfs  innocence,  and  unfuf- 
pecling  fenfibility. 

There  is,  generall)',  too  much  affixation  of  coynefs 
in  this  intercourfc  betwixt  the  fexes.  I  have  no  idea 
of  a  woman's  bhifhing  to  avow  an  attachment.  If  fiic 
has  it  indeed,  it  will  appear  to  a  penetrating  mind,  even, 
from  her  very  efforts  to  conceal  it.  The  involuntary 
embarraffrnent,  the  timid  look,  the  modeft  blufh,  and  the 
K2 


IU  LETTERS    to    a 

downcsd  eye,   are  indifputable  fymptoms  of  a  fli 
partiality,  which  cannot  either  bex  concealed  or  mifta- 
ken. 

llur  fcx,  I  know,  have  ideas  of  fufpenfe,  and  fancy, 
that  it  heightens  the  merit  of  the  prize.  But  I  dare 
not  recommend  fuch  a  dangerous  expedient.  If  the 
cunning  be  difcovered,  the  punishment  may  be  a  lading 
coldnefs  and  neglect.  I  do  not  know  any  thing,  fo 
really  graceful,  as  unaffcttcd /implicit}. 

Never  difclofe  the  offers  or  preferences  you  receive, 
except  to  tliofe  friends,  who  are  immediately  intereded 
in  your  deciilon.  They  are  fecrets  of  honor,  which  you 
ihould  carry  inviolate  to  your  grave.  It  is  ungenerous 
to  make  a  man  the  fubjeJt.  of  obfervation,  perhaps,  of 
ile9  beeaufe  he  has  tendered  you  his  warmed  affec- 
tions ;  and  the  envy  of  your  own  fex,  will  not  be  dif- 
pofed  to  fpare  you,  for  fuch  a  palpable  difplay  of  vani- 
ty and  pride.  H  you  intend  to  marry,  it  is  the  highed 
impolicy  ;  and  if  you  mean  to  dlfmifs  him,  it  is  cruel  to 
aggravate  difrn  iflion  with  contempt. 


LETTER       XXXVI. 

jj  ROM  the  unfavourable  fketch  I  have  given  of  the 
morals  and  fentiments  of  young  men,  it  is  not  proba- 
ble, that  a  woman  of  the  grea'teft  merit,  will  have  any 
prodigious  number  of  admirers  to  dijhacl  her  choice. 


YOUNG      LADY.  i ,  $ 

(generally,  in  tiieprejent  (late  of  things,  if  a  lady  w/ft 
be  married,  Hie  has  a  number  of  accommodations  to 
make,  many  wifhes  to  facrilice,  and  many  inflances  of 
private  tafte  to  be  refigned.  She  muft  be  content  with 
a  fortune,  merely  without  expecting  many  good  61 'great 
qualities  annexed  ;  or  if  (lie  feek  the  latter,  me  muft 
often  forego  all  hopes  of  the  former. 

If,  however,  you  Jlmild  have  a  number  of  fuitors, 
(and,  without  any  compliment,  it  is  not  impoflible) 
there  area  few,  general  principles  of  moil  ejfentialcow- 
fequence  to  regulate  your  choice. 

Fortune,  fplendor,  greatnefs,  are  the  alone  cry  of  mer- 
cenary friends.  I  am  not  wholly  of  their  opinion.  I 
have  feen  many  wretchedm  marriage,  with  all  the  trap- 
pings of  greatnefs.  I  have  known  a  (till  greater  num- 
ber happy,  who  have  had  only  "  a  dinner  of  herbs,  and 
love  therewith." 

Do  not  fuffer  your  imagination  to  be  dazzled  with 
mere  fplendor.  Never  fancy,  that  brilliance  is  connec- 
ted with  the  mind,  or  that  the  happinefs  of  woman,  any 
more  than  that  of  man,  t;  confifteth  in  the  abundance 
"of  the  things  that  Hie  poiTefletii." 

An.  immoderate  fondnefs  for  (hew  is  a  great  misfortune . 
It  has  led  many  a  poor  girl  to  facrilice  heifelf  to  fome 
illiterate  boor,  who  had  nothing  but  his  affluence  to  re- 
-commend  him.  If  fuch  mould  ever  be  your  misfortune, 
I  need  not  mention,  what  would  be  your  feelings.  It' 
you  was  prudent  enough  to  avoid  all  other  evil  confe- 
quences  (and  many  fuch,  experience  records,  but  deli- 
K3 


>* 


LETTERS   to    a 


cacy  forbears  to  mention)  you  might  live  to  envy  the 
ruddy  unambitious  miik-maid,  whofe  toils  are  fvveeten- 
ed  by  conjugal  attachment,  and  whofc  blooming  children 
cheer  the  fceming  infelicities  of  life. 

How  wretched  mull  be  a  woman,  united  to  a  man, 
whom  (he  does  not  prefer  to  every  other  in  the  world  ! 
What  fecret  preferences  mult  fteal  into  her  heart ! — 
What  unquiet  thoughts  take  pofTeiTion  of  her  fancy  ! 
And  what  can  men  of  principle  call  fuch  an  act,  but  le- 
gal proflitution  f 

If  I  was  a  defpotic  tyrant,  I  would  inflict  tins  pun- 
ishment on  the  woman  I  abhorred. — She  mould  en- 
tertain a  private  partiality  for  one  perfon.  and  be  mar- 
ried to  another. 

Never  fuffer  yourfelf  to  think  of  a  perfon  who  has 
not  religious  principle.  A  good  man  alone  is  capable  of 
true  attachment,  fidelity  and  affection. 

Others  may  feel  a.  fugitive  paOion  ;  but  on  this,  alas  ! 
you  can  place  no  dependence.  It  may  be  abated  by 
caprice,  fupplanted  by  fome  new  favourite,  palled  by 
poffejfwn,  and,  at  any  rate,  will  laft  no  longer,  than  your 
perfonal  charms,  though  thofe  charms  may  have  faded 
by  almojl  laying  down  your  life  for  their  fake,  by  bring- 
ing them  a  beautiful  offspring  into  the  world. 

During  the  flattering  feafon  of  ccurtfliip,   men  will 

always  endeavour  to  appear  in  their  brjl  colours,  and 

put  on  all  the  appearance  of  good  humour.     But  fuppo- 

fingthis  good  humour  real,  it  is  but  zfufiuating,  un- 

>,  depending  on  the  motion  of  the 


YOUNG     LADY.  115 

andfpirits.  Nothing  but  religion,  is  permanent  and  un- 
changeable^ always  confident,  and  always  the  fame. 

A  man  of  this  caft,  will  never  fail  to  treat  you  with 
tender nefs  and  attention.  If  little  provocations  happen, 
he  will  foften  them  with  gentlenefs  ;  if  offences  come, 
he  will  be  fhielded  with  patience  ;  if  his  own  temper 
be  unhappy,  he  will  correct  it  by  the  afliftance  of  di- 
vine grace,  and  of  reflection  ;  if  misfortunes  afiail 
you,  he  will  bear  them  with  refignation  ;  in  every  ex- 
igence, he  will  be  a  friend  ;  in  all  your  troubles,  a  ftay  ; 
in  your  ficknefs,  a  phyfician  ;  and,  when  the  laft,  con- 
vulfive  moment  comes,  he  will  leave  you  with  his  tears, 
and  with  his  bleflings.  All  his  impetuous  pajftons,  he 
will  fupprefs,  from  a  (Qnk  of  duty  ;  and,  if  ever,  by  an 
unguarded  fally,  he  mould  unfortunately  have  hurt 
vour  feelings,  or  violated  your  peace,  he  will  fuffer 
more  pain  from  the  private  recollection,  than  he  can 
poftibly  have  inflicted  upon  you.  Ten  thoufand  cares, 
anxieties,  and  vexations,  will  mix  with  the  married 
Mate.  Religion  is  the  only  principle,  that  can  infuf'e 
an  healing  balm,  infpire  both  parties  with  ferenity  and 
hope,  difpofe  them  to  mutual  conceflions  and  forbear- 
ance, and  prompt  them  to  (hare  each  other's  burdens 
with  alacrity  and  eafe. 

Gay  and  volatile  as  your  fpirits  may  be  before  this 
union,  when,  as  yet,  no  great  trials  or  misfortunes 
have  preiTed  on  them,  yet,  when  you  ferioufly  think  of 
having  a  family,  and  calling  yourfelf  mother  of  a  nu- 
merous offspring,  what  poflible  comfort  can  you  pro- 


n6  LETTERS    to    a 

mife  to  yourfelf,  without  a  man  of  folid  probity  and 
virtue  ?  one,  who  will  be  regular  in  the  difcharge  of  all 
the  religious,  focial  and  domeftic  duties  ;  who  will 
faithfully  train  up  your  common  children  in  the  fear  of 
God,  and  not  neglecfr.  their  many  interefts  and  wants, 
and  willies  for  the  turbid  and  licentious  pleafure* 
of  the  bottle,  gaming,  intrigue,  the  chace,  the  the- 
atre, or  for  any  other  fcenes  of  fafhionable  diftipa* 
tion? 

The  nesct  thing  you  mould  look  for,  is,  a  perfon  of  a 
dome/lie  eaft.  This  will,  molt,  frequently,  be  found  in 
men  of  the  mod:  virtuous  hearts  and  improved  under- 
standings. They  will  always  have  abundance  of  enter- 
tainment in  private,  unknown  to  vulgar  minds.  And 
thefe  will  fecure  them  from  feeking  their  happinefs  in 
the  factitious  pleafures  of  the  world. 

Of  what  confequence  are  all  the  good  qualities  of 
your  hufband,  if  you  muft  be-  conftantly  feparated 
from  him  ?  Your  tendernefs,  in  this  cafe,  will  only  be 
the  instrument  of  a  poignant  affliction  ;  your  anxiety 
will  be  perpetually  on  the  rack  ;  your  jealoujy  may  be 
alarmed  ;  and,  in  the  beft  point  of  view,  you  will  be  a 
widow,  with  only  a  nominal  huiband,  and  unprotected, 
with  all  the  appearance  of  protection. 

Men,  whofe  elrcumftances  abfolutely  require  fuch 
abfnccs,  mould  never  think  of  this  tender  connexion. 
It  is  this  necejfary  feparation  after  marriage,  and  the  ar- 
tificial one,  which  fajhion  has  created,  that  are  the  caufe 
oi  half  thedifquiets,  which  infeft  this  facred  Mate. — 
True  affeilion  is  only  nurfed  by  the  parries  living  much 


YOUNG      LADY.  117 

together  in  the  ftillnefs  of  retirement.  It  is  in  the 
]hadet  chiefly,  that  the  pureft  affections  glow.  It  is 
from  dwelling  on  the  graces  of  a  common  offspring, 
and  repeating,  in  the  eafe  of  familiar  converfation,  lit- 
tle domeitic  anecdotes,  playfulnefs  and  even's,  that  ma- 
trimonial friencifhip  rifes  to  its  proper  maturity  and  vi- 
gour. By  constantly  growing  together,  even  branches 
become  infeparably  entwined. 

The  lafl  thing,  though  I  do  not  mention  it  as  abso- 
lutely neceffary,  yet  highly  defireable  in  a  perfon  with 
whom  you  muft  fpend  all  your  days,  is,  fentiment  ami 
tafte.  This  will  variegate  every  hour  with  a  fucceffion 
of  pleafu  re,,  every  fcene,  with  animated  remarks,  every 
incident,  with  .  fre.fh  converfation,  and  will  make  a  little 
paradife  of  your  deepeft  folitude,  in  which  you  will 
never  want  the  poor  refources  of fdrtign  entertainment, 

Fortune  furely  fhotfld  be  confidered.  It  wereabfurd 
to  think  of  love,  where  there  is  not  fome  project  of  a 
decent  proviiion  for  your  probable  defcendants.  That 
decency  depends  on  birth,  habit  and  education.  But 
if  you  can  compafs  the  otherfequifites,  be  as  moder- 
ate as  poflible  in  your  demands  of  fortune.  Virtue 
and  affection  have  an  amazing  power  of  infpiring  con- 
tentment. A  morfel,  thus  fweetened,  will  be  pieafant 
to  the  tafte.  In  a  cottage  fo  enlivened,  joy  will  fpring. 
Children,  fo  educated,  will  be  rich  in  goodnefs.  The 
Almighty  will  look  down  from  heaven,  with  approba- 
tion, and  crown  the  happy  pair  with  the  choiceft  of  his 
bleffinss  ! 


u8  LETTERS    to    a 


LETTER       XXXVIL 


N. 


EVER,  think  of  marrying  a  Weak  man,  in  hopes 
of  governing  him.  Silly  people  are  often  more  pcevifh 
and  refracfory  than  you  would  fuppofe  ;  but  if  you 
could  even  gain  your  point,  and  by  great  addrefs  and 
management,,  rife  to  the  helm,  I  fhould  not,  by  any 
means,  congratulate  your  fuccefs. 

Women,  that  alTume  the  reins,  feldom  manage  them 
with  dignity.  Their  authority  breaks  forth  in  num- 
berlefs,  petty  inftances  of  tyranny  and  caprice,  which 
only  render  them  miferable  in  themfelves,  as  well  as 
unamiable  to  every  beholder.  The  quality,  which 
fhews  a  married  lady  to  advantage,  is,  a  vnodeft  fubmiffi- 
on  of  her  understanding  to  the  man,  whom  me  has  not 
been  afhamed  to  honor  with  her  choice. 

I  have  frequently  mentioned  Milton,  as  peculiarly 
happy  in  his  ideas  of,  What  conftitutes,  conjugal  pro- 
priety. Hit  Eve  reveres  her  hufband.  She  liitens  to 
his  converfation,  in  order  to  be  inftru£ted.  In  him, 
(he  feels  herfelf  annihilated  and  abforbed.  She  ahways 
ihews  that  deference  and  confcioufnefs  of  inferiority^ 
which,  for  the  fake  of  order,  the  all- wife  Author  of 
nature,  manifeflly\  intended.  The  confequence  is,  that 
her  character  appears  lovely  to  all,  and  that  her  aiToci- 
ate  (as  all  fenfible  men  wilt)  treats  her  with  double  ten- 
dernefs,  and  gives  her  every  mark  of  a  delicate  pro- 
te&ion  :  . 


Y  O  U  N  G      L  A  D  Y.  jj9 

He  in  delight 
Both  of  her  beauty,  and  fubm'ifjvve  charms, 
SmilM  with  fuperior  love. 

To  whom  thus  Eve,  with  perfect  beauty  adorn'd, 
My  author  and  difpofer,  what  thou  bidd'it, 
Unargued  I  obey  ;  io  God  ordains  ; 
God  is  thy  law  ;  tbou,  mine  ;  to  know  no  more 
Is  woman's  happieft  knowledge,  and  her  praife. 

When  men  have  lived  fingle  for  fifty  or  fixty  years, 
through  a  multiplicity  of  bufmefs,  ambitious  fchemes, 
or,  perhaps,  from  more  criminal  caufes,  it  is  no  uncom- 
mon thing  to  fee  them,  all  at  once,  determined  on 
wedlock,  and  paying  their  court  to  fome  fine,  blooming 
girl  of  eighteen.  Indeed,  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  things, 
if  a  woman  be  not  married  ean%  her  chance  is  fmall  \ 
fo  violent  is  the  rage  for  youth  and  beauty,  even  mde- 
crepit  beam  ! 

There  is  fomething  in  this  practice,  that  very  grofs- 
ly  infults  both  your  delicacy  and  underftanding.  It 
looks  as  if  thefefovereign  lords  of  the  creation,  at  the 
moment,  when  they  condefcended  to  pity  your  diflrefs^ 
and  found  no  comfort  in  habits  of  another  kind,  could 
order  the  moil  elegant  and  fafhionable  among  you,  to 
come  at  a  call ! 

It  is  true,  indeed,  that  they  do  make  you  a  confut- 
ation. Your  jointure  is,  generally,  in  proportion  to 
the  age  of  the  party.  The  hundreds  are  increafed, 
as  the  head  is  hoary,  as  the  frame  is  enfeebled,  or  as 
wrinkles  have  contracted  the  countenance. 

Never  indulge  the  thought  of  marrying  in  this  man- 
ner.    Wherever  there  is  great  difparity  of  years,  there 


120  LETTERS    to  a 

cannot  be  any  durable  union  of  hearts.  Gloom  and 
gaiety  do  not  eafily  affimilate.  Nature  has  placed,  at 
a  great  diftance  from  each  other,  the  torrid  and  the 
frigid  zones.    * 

People's  views  of  life,  their  fentiments,  projects, 
companies,  pleafures  and  amuferrtents,  differ  fo  exceed- 
ingly, at  thefe  different  ages,  that  it  is  impoilible  their 
affections  mould  be  united.  A  thoufand  conflicts  of 
tafte  and  opinion,  and  as  many  caufes  of  jealoufy  and 
diflike,  will  mingle  with  fo  injudicious  a  connexion. 

A  woman,  in  fuch  delicate  circumftances,  where  the 
heart  is  not  engroffed  by  a  real  attachment,  may,  and 
probably  will,  fee  many  perfons  more  agreeable,  than 
him,  to  whom  fhe  is  bound  by  an  indiffoluble  tie.  If 
me  has  prudence  and  principle  enough  to  keep  up  ap- 
pearances, and  thus  preferve  her  innocence  in  the  eyes 
of  the  world,  it  can  be  no  fupreme  felicity,  to  be  the 
wife  of  one  man,  whilft  her  heart  is  fecretly  panting  for 
another.  It  is,  indeed,  a  trial,  which  no  fplendor  can 
recompenfe,  and  no  fortune  eafe.  If  (he  mould  ever 
be  Co  unguarded  as  to  betray  fuch  a  preference,  in  any 
part  of  her  conduct,  her  peace  and  happinefs  are  loft 
f)V  ever  !  But  admitting  her  to  behave  with  the  great- 
el  propriety,  and  even  to  be  attached  to  the  Sultan^ 
who  owns  her,  ftill  the  jealoufy  of  old  men  is  a  moft 
amazingly  irritable  paflion.  It  is  that  watchful  dra- 
gon, which  guards  the  Hefperian  fruit ;  and,  with  a 
keen-eyed  glance,  will  be  apt  to  difcover  fome  hidden 
meaning  in  a  look,  impropriety  in  a  gefture,  or  a  vio- 
lation of  the  marriage-covenant  in  the  moft  common 


YOUNG      LADY.  i2r 

..civility.  At  any  rate,  it  is  no  very  flattering  allotment 
to  a  woman,  to  be  the  nurfe  of  a  peevifh,  infirm  or  e- 
maciated,   old  man,  at  an  age,  when  me  might  claim 

•the  moft  delicate  paflicn,  and  reciprocal  endearments. 
What  woman  of  fpirit  would  bear  to  be  fufpecled  ? — 
What  chriftian  Ihould  vow,  at  the  altar  of  her  Clod, 
an  affedion  to  a  man,  when  her  attachment  was  folely 
to  his  fortune  ?  And  who  that  has  read  one  page  of 
human  life,  mud  not  tremble  at  the  confequences  that 
have,  generally,  attended  fuch  imprudent  connexions  ? 
"  A  reformed  rake  makes  the  belt  hufband."  Does 
he  ?  It  would  be  very  extraordinary,  if  he  mould.  Be- 
fides,  are  you  very  certain,  that  you  have  power  to  re- 
form him  ?  It  is  a  matter  that  requires  fome  delibera- 
tion. This  reformation,  if  it  is  to  be  accomplished, 
muft  take  place  before  marriage.  Then,  if  ever,  is  the 
period  of  your  power.  But  how  will  you  be  afTured 
that  he  is  reformed  ?  If  he  appears  fo,  is  he  not  infidi- 
oufly  concealing  his  vices,  to  gain  your  affections  ?  And 
when  he  knows  they  are  fecured,  may  he  not,  gradu- 
ally, throw  off  the  mafl^  and  be  diffipated,  as  before  t 
Profligacy  of  this  kind,  is  feldom  eradicated.  It  re- 
fembles  fome  cutaneous  diforders,  which  appear  to  be 
healed,  and  yet  are,  continually,  making  therafelves  vi- 
fible,  by  frefh  eruptions. 

A  man,  who  has  carried  on  a  criminal  intercourfe  with, 
immoral  women,  is  not  to  be  trufted.  His  opinion  of 
all  females, .  is  an  infult  to  their  delicacy.  His  attach- 
ment is  lot/ex  alone,  under  particular  modifications.  On 

VOL.  II.  L 


j22  LETTERS    to   a 

him  virtue,  knowledge,  accompli/hments*and  graces  art 
miferably  thrown  away.  To  grarify  an  inextinguifh- 
able  third  for  variety,  fuch  a  wretch  is  often  feen  to  for- 
fake  the  mod  deferving  wife,  to  feek  his  ufual  fugitive 
pleafure,  with  an  abandoned,  mercenary  harlot. 

What  would  you  think  of  this  ?  Yet  no  graces,  no 
affection,  no  delicacy,  on  y  r  :r  part,  may  be  able  to  pre- 
vent it.  It  feems  the  curfe  of  Heaven,  entailed  on  his 
vices,  and,  generally,  purfues  him  even  to  the  grave. 

The  fuppofed  predilection  of  your  fex  for  rakes,  muft, 
probably,  arife  from  their  oftentatious  appearance,  gaie- 
ty, fpirits  and  aflumed  politenefs.  But  how  dearly  is 
Inch  tinfel  purchafed  by  an  union  with  them  !  How 
often  has  a  long,  haraiTed  life  of  poverty  and  remorfe, 
been  the  dreadful  iacrifice  to  this  indifcretion  of  a  mo- 
ment / 


LETTER    XXXVIII. 

JlT  JLEN  in  profefTions  may  be  expe£ted  to  poflefs  the 
moft  liberal  fentiments,  as  having  enjoyed  a  fuperior  e- 
ducation  ;  and  their  manners  and  fociety  will,  of  courfe, 
be  moft  agreeable  and  interefting  to  ladies,  Military 
people  are,  pr -overbi 'ally <7  favorites, 


V  O  UNG     LAD  Y. 


12 


I  will  not  fo  much  degrade  the  dignity  of  your  fex, 
ss  to  fuppofe,  that  it  is  the  mere  colour  of  their  habits 
which  dazzles  your  eyes,  and  works  fuch  artonifhing 
miracles  in  their  favour.  There  are  reafons,  which 
may  account,  more  rationally^  for  your  partiality,  whilit 
they  do  more  credit  to  yourunderrtanding, 

Undiltracled  with  cares  and  bufmefs,  they  are  happy 
in  that  eafy  dif engage  dnefs  of  mind,  which  can  exhauft 
all  its  efforts  upon  the  fingle  article  of  pleafmg.  With 
much  time  upon  their  hands,  they  have  frequent  op- 
portunities of  being  in  your  company,  and  of  feeling, 
or,  at  leaft,  affctt'mg  admiration.  '  Lively  and  volatile, 
from  an  healthy  life  of  activity  and  exercife,  they  ean- 
ly  aflimilate  with  the  manners  of  a  fex,  whofe  diftin- 
guifhing  grace  is  a  cheerful  vivacity.  Having  travelled 
through  various  places  and  kingdoms,  they  neceffarily 
acquire  that  eafe  and  urbanity  of  manners,  which  re- 
mit from  a  general  intercourfe  with  mankind.  Exj^e&r 
ed,  profejfionally^  to  be  men  of  courage,  you  may  fupplfi 
them  the  heft  protectors  of  your  perfon  and  your  weak- 
nefs.  Their  very  choice  of  the  army,  marks  them  for 
genteel  notions  and  fpirit ;  and  any  of  thefe  reafons  is, 
perhaps,  no  difadvantage  with  a  female  heart.  I  fhoulcl 
be  forry  to  fuppofe,  that  their  general  love  of  pleafure, 
gaiety  and  intrigue,  is  among  their  recommendations  to 
the  favour  of  thole,  who  jhould,  uniformly  difcourage, 
by  their  blujbes  and  l\\t\r  frowns^  every  fpecies  of  levity 
and  vice. 

L2 


124  LETTERS      to   a1 

In  face,  and  to  be  impartial,  the  r.greeablenefs  of  of- 
ficers, is  like  that  of  other  men.  There  is  the  human 
mixture  of  the  good  and  the  had.  I  have  always  found, 
from  my  own  observation,  that  the  older  and  experi- 
enced, are  fome  of  the  moft  interefbng  characters  in 
fociety.  The  various  fcenes,  through  which  they  have 
pafkd,  give  a  fprightlinefs  and  diverfity  to  their  conver- 
sation, and  their  politenefs  lendsit  a  charm.  I  have 
met  with  as  many  of  the  younger  fort,  who  have  feem- 
fd  to  think  the  petty  ornament  of  a  cockade,  an  ade- 
quate fubltitute  for  ail  improvements  of  the  mind  ;  a 
(belter  for  litigious  infolence  and  pnppyifm,  and  an  ex- 
clufive  fecurity  for  the  tendereft  affections,  and  attach- 
ment of  woman. 

But  this  evil  is  not  confined,  merely,  to  the  am;y.~ 
h  is  fo  in  the  church.  How  truly  amiable  are  the  ex- 
perienced, the  learned,  and  the  exemplary  of  this  pro- 
felTion,  whofe  knowledge  is  happily  tilTued  with  devo- 
tion, and  foftened  by  a  general  intercourfe  with  the 
world  !  How  many,  on  the  other  hand,  when  they  are 
juft  initiated  into  the  facred  office,  ridiculoufly  pique 
themfelves  on  a  cajjock  and  afcarf-,  arid,  under  that  fo- 
Iemn  garb,  go  as  far  as  polTible,  in  the  mazes  of  beau- 
ifm,  vanity,  and  affectation  ! 

There  are,  doubtlefs,  very  amiable  people  in  the  ar- 
my ;  but  their  general  notions  and  treatment  of  your 
lex,  forbid  me  to  wifh  that  you  fhould,  ever,  cultivate 
much  acquaintance  with  them,  becaufe  the  cirenm- 
ftances,  in  which  they  are  placed,  render  the  thoughts 
of  zfrious  connexion,  by  no  means  defireable.   If  we 


YOUNG    LADY.  &s 

could  fuppofe  their  principles  not  to  be  injured  by  their 
mode  of  life  ;  if  they  could  refign,  from  the  momeht 
of  marriage,  all  their  notions  of  unlimited  gallantry, 
and  pleafure,  what  is  their  pay,  but  a  fcanty  fubfiitenec 
for  a  folitary  individual  ?  What  is  their  life,  but  an 
unfettled  pilgrimage  from  one  country  to  another? — 
How  often  are  they  called,  at  a  moment'' 5  warning,  to 
right,  perhaps,  to  peri/hy  for  their  king  and  country  ?  or, 
to  die  more  fudde'nly,  and  more  ignominioufly,"  by  the 
hands  of  a  duellift,  who  challenges  them  into  eternity 
for  the  flighted  provocation,  perhaps  for  the  mifpll- 
cing  only  of  a  fyllable  ! 

In  the  midfl  of  fuch  alarming  profpecls,  what  has  a 
woman  to  expect  from  marriage  with  them,  but  con- 
tinual toils,  unceafing  dangers,  perpetual  apprehenfi- 
ons  ;  poverty,  remorfe,  vexation — children,-  without 
provifion,  and  forrows,  which  the  lenient  hand  of  rimr, 
fcarcely  can  afluage  ?.. 

If  ybii  was-ever  fo  happily  united  to  a  man  of  this 
description,  how  dreadful  muft  be  the  abfences  you 
will  have  to  bear,  mixed  as  they  will  be,  with  a  diflblv- 
ing  tendernefs,  and  unavoidable  alarms ;  or,  on  the  o- 
ther  hand,  how  infupportable  your  toils,  "  with  perils 
u  in  the  wildernefs,  perils  by  the  fea,  and  perils  among 
"  falfe  brethren  ;  with  wearinefs  and  painfulnefs,  with 
<c  watchings,  often  ;  with  hunger  and  thirft  ;  with  fafl- 
"  ings  often  ;  with  cold  and  nakednefs  !"  Remember 
the  fate  of  lady  C — w — s,  and  drop  a  tear.    That  g-31- 

L3 


LETTERS   to   a 

ety  of  heart,  which,  once,  doted  on  a  man  for  his 
fmartnefs  or  vivacity,  will  find  too  much  exercife  for  its 
penitence  and  grief  in  fuch  fcrious  afflictions. 


LETTER       XXXIX. 


i 


Nfeveral  requifites  to  an  happy  marriage,  prcfijjionai 
men  do  not  appear,  by  any  means,  the  mod  eligi- 
ble. 

A  great  writer  has  called  a  phyfician,  "  the  mere 
play-thing  of  fortune."  However  ftraitened  in 
his  circumftances,  from  having  received  an  ex- 
penfive  education,  he  muft  afTume,  particularly  in  the. 
metropolis,  the  appearance  of  property,  merely  to  gain 
employment.  This  fifliuous-  grandeur  may  involve 
him  in  difficulties,  for  many >  years.  His  fuccefs,  from 
the  nature  of" things,  mud,  generally,  befow,  nor  will 
it  ever  depend  fo  much  on  his  own  intrinfic  merit,  as 
on  a  fortunate  coincidence  of  circumftances,  wholly 
out  of  his  power.  If  he  fucceeds,  it  will,  frequently, 
be  late  in  life  ;  and,  if  he  does  not,  he  mud  be  embar- 
raffed  indeed  !  The  children  of  fuch  a  perfon  "  cannot 
"  dig,  and  to  beg,  they  are  afhamed."  Poverty,  fhar- 
pened  by  refinement  and  fenfb'dity,  is  affixing  in  the  ex- 
treme ! 


YOUNG      LADY. 


IV 


I  do  not  think  the  profefTion  of  the  law,  calculated 
To  render  a  man  the  moft  agreeable  companion,  in  the 
itill,  unruffled  (hades  of  domeftic  life.  It  calls  into 
continual  exercife,  the  more  turbid  paflions  ;  it  begets 
an  unpleafant  fpirit  of  cavilling  and  contradiction,  and 
has  lefs  tendency  to  nurfe  the  finer  feelings,  than  any 
of  the  other  learned  prcfeffions. 

By  being  crowded  together,  at  a  dangerous  age,  in 
the  Temple,  or  Lincoln's  inn,  young  men  are  apt  to 
contract  a  licentioufnefs  of  morals,  a  laxity  of  princi- 
ples, a  fpecies  of  fcepticifin  to  palliate  their  vices,  habits 
of  profanenefs,  not  a  little  diffipation,  and,  fo  far  as  your 
fex  is  concerned,  very  dangerous  notions. 

Be/ore  marriage,  military  men  and  young  lawyers, 
are  not,  in  my  idea,  the  fafeft  acquaintance.  The  firft 
are  only  bent,  without  looking  any  further,  on  domefti- 
cating  themfelves,  in  agreeable  families,  by  every  polite 
attention  to  wives  and  daughters,  and  thus  amufing  ma- 
ny leifure  hours,  which,  in  their  ftate  of  continual  pe- 
regrination, would  be,  otherwife,  infupportable  ;  the 
latter,  in  general,  fcruple  not  to  go  great  lengths  in  gal- 
lantry, where  they  have  no  far ions  intention. 

Beware  of  fuch  fociety  ;  beware  of  your  heart.  Let 
not  the  unblujhing  front  of  a  barrifter,  let  not  the  mere 
fcarlet  habit  of  a  petit  maitre,  who  lias  ftudied  the  wind- 
ings of  the  female  heart  infinitely  more  than  ta&ics,  or 
the  art  of  war;  let  not  a  few  civil  fayings,  or  flattering 
attentions,  beguile  your  imagination,  or  !ay  your  pru- 
dence afleep.  I  do  not  think  the  commerce  very  fare. 
\i  I  had  a  girl  of  my  own,  I  would  not  expofe  her  to 


128  LETTERS     to  a 

fo  dangerou:  a  trial.  Many,  doubtlefs,  have  come  off 
conquerors,  but  more  have  fallen  ;  and  their  wounds 
and  tears  have  made,  upon  my  memory,  a  lajling  irrh- 
preflion. 

Our  imagination,  however,  annexes  riches,  honor?, 
and  even  titles,  to  the  profeflion  of  the  law.  But  this 
fancy  often  mi/leads  us.  It  is  true,  that  merit  has  a 
greater  chance  in  tbis^  than  in  any  other  profeflion  ; 
and  it  is  certain,  that  a  fortunate/^y  have  attained  to 
very  confiderable  greatnefs.  We  hear  of  a  Mansfield,  a 
Thurlow,  a  Kenyon,  a  Loughborough,  a  Law,  an  Er- 
/kine,  and  are  dazzled  with  their  names,  their  fuccefs, 
and  honours.  But  not  a  word  is  faid  of  a  thoufancfr 
others  of  the  fraternity,  whom,  though  poflefled  of 
confiderable  talents,  fortune  never  chofe  to  bring  into* 
the  public  view,  or  to  diftingutfh  with  any  of  her  fa- 
vours. 

But  all  thefe  difcouragements  apart — if  a  lawyer  is* 
eminent^  he  can  fcarcely  ever  be  at  home.   Perpetual cares* 
and  bufmefs  furround  him,   and  poifon  his  repofe. — - 
His  wife  and  children  muft  be  negletted^  and  domeftic 
endearments  facrificed  to  tumultuous  cares.      And  if  he  • 
he  poor,  no  poverty  can  open  the  door  to  more  chica- 
nery, artifice  or  meannefr..-     At  any  rate,  if  he  be  a  l 
man  of  pure  morals  and  religious  principles,  he  has 
withftood  the  greateft  temptations,  that  human  nature  • 
can  encounter,  and  for  fuperior  and  heroic  virtue,  al-  • 
moftdefcrves  a  place  in  the  calendar  of  faints. 


YOUNG      LADY.  129 

Sec  now  a  man's  partiality  to  his  own  profeffion  ; 
but  if  it  be  not  founded  in  reafon,  I  beg  you  will  re- 
ject it. 

The  office  of  clergymen,  calls  them  to  a  more  regular 
and  retired'life,  than  that  of  moft  other  men.  Their 
exemption  from  the  buftle  and  competitions  of  the 
world,  nurfes  innocence  and  fenfibility  ;  and  if  their 
heart  be  not  very  depraved,  their  employment  and  ftu- 
dies.muft  /often  and  refine  it.  Their  education  Jhculd 
have  given  them  the  power  of  entertaining,  and  their 
callingy^/>/w/^vnot  onty  integrity,  but  pieiy  and  virtue. 

A  man  of  this  caft,  feems  particularly  calculated,  not 
only  to  reli/h,  but  to  enhance  the  happinefs  of  a  married 
flate.  With  hours  at  command,  he  has  Ieifure  for  the 
tender  offices  of  friendfhip,  and  the  little,  fportive  play- 
fulnefs  of  amufmg  converfation.  Whiift  the  wood- 
bine and  the  jafmine  furround  his  modeil  manfion,  he 
dreads  no  unpropitious  accident,  that  (hall  drag  him  from 
his  retreat,  and  can  tread,  with  the  faithful  partner  of 
his  cares,  the  lonely,  "  filent  haunts,,  which  contem- 
plation loves. "  He  has  time  for  fuperintending  the 
inltrucHon  of  his  children,  and  calling  theii  latent 
powers  into  exercife  and  action.  He  has  opportunity 
to  realize  the  pictures  of  a  Milton,  and  watch  the  open- 
ing beauties  of  theparadi/e  about  him. 

Let  me,  however,  be  candid,  and  give  you  the  pe/f Me 
revcrfe  of  this  piece.  The  church  is  in  a  very  unhap- 
py fituation.  That  education,  which  renders  the  ec- 
clefiaftic  agreeable,  often  fharpens  his  affliction.  That 
refinement,  which  captivates  the  elegant  and  inexperU 


130  LETTERS    to    a 

enced,  is  the  fpear  which  fetches  drops  of  blood  from 
his  heart.  Frequently  without  an  adequate  provifion,' 
and  incapable,  by  any  fecular  employment,  of  improving* 
his  circumftances,  thefe  apparent  privileges  are  only  his 
misfortune.  The  fenfibility,  which  loves  a  woman, 
doubly  mourns  her  allotment.  That  tendernefs,  which 
embraces  children  with  fuch  affection,  Jhudders  at  their 
profpects.  That  independence,  which  remits  from  //- 
ZivWfentiments,  ftartles  at  the  thought  of  poverty  of 
diftrefs  ;  and  that  peace,  which  he  has  found  in  the  a- 
bodes  of  folitude^  unfits  him  for  the  turbulent  agitations' 
of  the  world. 

Many  men,  however,  there  are  in  this  profefliort,  ve- 
ry amply  provided  for  ;  and,  if  One  of  thefe  falls  to 
your  lot,  with  the  habits  and  difpofaions  that  fhould re- 
fult  from  his  character,  I  think  you  may  form  every 
rational  hope  of  comfort  and. enjoyment.  Still,  do  not 
fuppofe  me  narrow  or  illiberal.  There  are,  doubtlefs, 
numbers  of  worthy  and  amiable  men  in  the  other  pro- 
feflions  ;  there  are,  as  certainly,  many  wort hlefs,  immo- 
ral, and  profligate  perfons  in  the  church.  General  rules' 
admit  of  infinite  exceptions  :  And  as  your  heart  is 
difengaged,  I  meant  only  to  ftate  the  influence  of  dif-' 
rerent  habits  and  employments  on  the  mind,  and  the. 
probability  of  their  conducing  to  happinefs  or  mifery* 
in  this  important  connexion.  And  I  fill  mufl:  urge, 
that  if  a  clergyman  be  a  bad  hufoand,  it  is  in  defiance' 
of  the  ftrongeft  inducements  1o  be  otherwife,  and  of  every' 
difpofition,  which  his  ftudies  and  his  prayers  fhouid' 


YOUNG      LA  D'Y.  *$) 

;.  ha^vc  led  him,  either  to  .cultivate  in  hfrnjelft  or  recom- 
mend to  others. 


LETTER      XL. 

</"\>  MERE  country  fquire,  will  be  more  attached  to 
his  <%*,  his  hunting-parties,  and  horfes,  than  he  could 
be  to  any  wife  in  the  world.  The  moft  lovely  graces, 
the  moft  exquifite  accomplishments,  will  make  no  im-^ 
predion  on  his  debajed  and  vitiated  mind.  He  will  not 
be  able  even  to  difcover  them.  From  him,  you  mud 
expect  none  of  the  little,  foothing  attentions.  He 
will  fhock  your  delicacy  with  a  thoufand  coarfenefieSj 
without  a  fenfibility  that  he  is  doing  wrong  j  and  if  you 
mould  expoftulate,  he  will  place  it  only  to  the  account 
of  female  prudery,  conceit  or  affectation.  He  will 
converfe  with  you  chiefly  on  the  delicious  fubje£ts  of 
the  bottle  or  the  chace  ;  and  he  will  occafwnally  intro- 
duce you  to  the  honour  of  an  acquaintance  with  a 
number  of  ignorant  ill-bred  boors,  who  will  eftcem 
you  in  exact  proportion,  as  you  want  elegance  of  man- 
ners, fentiment  or  underftanding ! 

Young  ladies  never  act  fo  injudicioufly,  as  when  they 
facriflce  themfelves  to  ftupid  vulgarity.  Their  charms 
are  never  loft  on  men  of  fenfe,  delicacy  and  politenefs. 
By  them  their  throne  is  eftablifhed.     It. is  in  their 


132  LETTERS   to  a 

hearts,  that  they  have  always  z  fever  eign  and  undifpu- 
ted  fway. 

I  have  now  given  you  my  fentiments  very  freely  con- 
cerning a  great  variety  of  characters.  But,  marry 
whom  you  will,  one  further  leffon  is  neceffary  to  your 
happinefs,  as  well  as  that  of  the  perfon,  with  whom 
you  are  connected — and  that  is — to  confider  your 
borne,  as  the  chief  fcene  of  your  pleafures,  and  your  ex- 
ertion. 

Though  a  woman,  before  this  union,  may  be  admi- 
red for  her  accomplishments  of  dancing,  drefs,  paint- 
ing, finging,  &c.  yet,  after  it,  we  expert  her  character 
|o  difplay  fomething  more  fub/lantial.  To  a  man,  who 
muft  fpend  his  days  in  her  company,  all  thefe  little  fu- 
perficial  decorations  will  fpeedily  become  infipid  and 
unimportant.  Love  muft  be  preferved  by  the  quali- 
ties of  the  heart,  and  efteem  fecured  by  the  domeftic 
virtues. 

A  man  does  not  want  to  be  dazzled in  this  connexi- 
on, or  to  poffefs  a  partner,  who  feeks  the  admiration  of 
coxcombs  or  beaux.  He  wants  a  perfon,  who  will 
kindly  divide  and  alleviate  his  cares,  and  prudently  ar- 
range his  houfehold  concerns.  He  feeks  not  a  co- 
quette, a  fafhionift,  a  flirt,  but  a  comfortable  affiftant, 
companion  and  friend. 

.Let  not  a  woman's  fancy  dream  of  perpetual  admi- 
ration. Let  it  not  be  fketching  out  endlefs  mazes  of 
pieafure.  The  miitrefs  of  a  family  has  ceafed  to  be  .a 
girl.  She  can,  no  longer,  be  frivolous  or  childifh,  with 
impunity.     The  angel  of  courtfhip  has  funk  into  a  wq- 


Y  O  U  N  G     LAD  Y.  133 

*H1fcn,  and  that  woman  will  be  valued,  principally^  as  her 
fondnefs  lies  in  retirement,  and  her  pleafures  near  the 

nurfery  of  her  children.  Nor  are  thefe  pleafures  fmall. 
Whatever  fafhion  thinks,  they  have  a  fecret  relifh, 
which  the  world  cannot  give. 

If  men  are  expected  to  diftinguifh  themfelves  by  fci- 
ence,  valour,  eloquence,  or  the  arts,  a  woman's  great- 
eft  praife  confifts  in  the  order  and  good  government  of 
\\tx  family.  Nor  is  this  beneath  the  dignity  of  any  fe- 
male in  the  world.     Never  is  the  greater^  than  in  fuch 

■  condefcenjion.  It  fpoils  no  features.  It  places  the  very 
fineit  in  the  happieft  attitude,  and  in  the  molt  favour- 
able light. 

This  exercife  will  be  a  fovereign  preventive  of  the 
vapours ;  and  every  family,  zvitbeut  it,  muft  be  a  fcene 
of  diforder  ;  a  ftate  of  anarchy,  in  which  there  is  no 
head  to  govern^  and  all  the  members  feem  unwilling  to 
obey. 

If  we  could  fee  the  infide  of  fome  fashionable  houfes, 
what  a  profpeel  would  they  prefent  !  The  miftrefs  at 
a  mafquerade  or  an  opera — fervants,  drunken,  extrava- 
gant, criminal ! — Children,  receiving  their  very  iirft  im- 
prefiions  from  their  oaths  and  rw^s— here,  meat  perifh- 
ing,  which  might  have  fed  the  hungry — there,  gar- 
ments mouldering,  which  would  have  clothed  the  na- 
ked—in one  place,  filth  and  naftinefs  concealed— in  a- 
nother,  valuable  furniture  toftcd  about,  without  decen- 
cy,  and   without  care  !    No  fortune  can  anfwer  fuch 

immoderate  expenfes.      No  comfort  can  confift  with  fo 
vol.  ji.  M 


ij4  LETTERS    to    a 

much  diforder.  "  A  good  woman  Iooketh  well  to, the 
€l  ways  of  her  houfehold,  and  all  her  family  is  clothed 
"  in  fcarlet." 

A  turn  for  diflipation,  in  any  woman,  is  unfeemly, 
but,  in  a  married  one,  it  is  criminal  in  the  extreme.  If 
me  loves  her  children,  what  can  fo  much  entertain  her, 
as  their  lively  prattle,  as  their  innocent  endearments, 
or  unfolding  their  latent  powers  ?  If  me  loves  her  huf- 
band,  what  other  fociety  can  be  half  fo  foothing,  or 
half  fo  delightful  ? 

The  tour  of  a  woman's  gaiety,  mould  terminate 
with  marriage.  From  that  moment,  her  purfuits 
mould  be  folid,  and  her  pleafures  circumfcribed  within 
the  limits  of  her  houfehold.  So  much  as  this,  fhe 
vowed  at  the  altar  :  fo  much  her  interefts  and  her  hap- 
pinefs  require. 

A  wife,  who  is  always  gadding  about,  virtually  tells 
the  world,  that  me  is  unhappy  in  her  connexion  ;  that 
her  vanity  is  mod  immoderate,  or  her  tafte  depraved. 

What  Jt rips  this  union  of  its  fweeteft  pleafures  ?— * 
What  makes  wives  and  hufb^nds  fo  indifferent  to  each 
other  ?     Diflipation. 

They  fpend  fo  little  time  together  in  private ;  and 
it  is  chiefly  in  folitude,  that  affedion  fprings. 

If  a  man,  after  the  bufinefs  and  fatigues  of  the  day, 
could  Teturn  to  an  houfe,  where  a  wife  was  engaged  in 
domeftic  cares,  and  an  attention  to  his  offspring,  he 
mud  be  a  monfter  of  favagenefs  and  ftupidity  indeed, 
if  he  did  not  ftrongly  feel  the  influence  of  her  virtues, 
and  if  they  did  not  convey  a  foft  rapture  to  his  foul. 


YOUNG     LADY.  134 

What  woman  is  moll  really  admired  in  the  world  ? 
The  domeftic.  What  woman  has  all  the  fuffrages  of 
the  fenfible,  and  the  good  ?  The  domeftic. 

If  I  wimed  a  lady's  picture  to  appear  to  advantage, 
it  fhould  not  be  taken  when  (lie  was  dreiTing  for  an  af- 
fembly,  a  levee,  or  a  birth  night.  She  fhould  behold- 
ing one  lovely  infant  in  her  arms,  and  prefenting  a  mo- 
ral page,  for  the  inftruction  of  another. 

Such  a  painter  would  give  us  thefineji  object,  in  the 
world,  and  wrap  that  world,  libertines  and  ftoics,  in 
one  general  admiration. 


LETTER      XLI. 

J[  AM  not  2t  all  furprized  with  the  wjtpidlifc  of  the 
parties  you  mention.  Their  cafe  is,  by  no  means,  un- 
common. Nor  would  it  have  required  any  great  pe- 
netration to  have  foretold  the  confequences  of  fo  haftv 
a  connexion. 

The  truth  is,  the  gentleman  was  ftriclly,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  world,  a  beau  d\fprity  that  is,  he  dreficd 
ftnartly,  frequented  (what  is  efteemed)  genteel  compa- 
ny, and  public  places,  drank,  hunted,  ran  into  the  ex- 
tremes of  fafhion,  and  had  fomc  fortune  to  fupport  it. 

Ma 


i^o  LETTERS    to    a 

In  proportion  as  thefc  little  matters  had  engaged  his 
mind,  lmall  attention  had,  you  may  fuppofe,  been  paid 
to  the  formation  of  his  heart  or  underftanding. 

In  this  thoughtlefs  period,  it  was  the  misfortune  of 
this  poor  girl,  with  an  elegant  perfon,  and  interefting 
manner,  to  fall  in  his  way.  She  was  beautiful  ;  na- 
ture had  defigned  her  to  pleafe  ;  and,  if  fhe  had  been 
connected  with  a  fenfible  man,  might  have  been  moul- 
ded aim  oft  into  any  thing  that  captivates  in  gracefuT- 
nefs,  or  aftcnifhes  in  underftanding.  Her  perfcnal  ac- 
cotrtplimroents  inspired  thi^peiit  ma'itre  with  a  fug 
paflion  ;  his  fortune  was  competent  ;  difiimitarhy  of 
taftes,  habits  or  abilities,  never  was  confulered  ;  tender 
tales  were  fwallowed  by  her  artlefs  innocence,  and  his 
addrefles  were  accepted.  After  a  very  mort  acquaint- 
ance, they  are  weary  of  each  ether.  The  force  of 
beauty  and  of  paffion  »s  exhaufted.  He  has  not  tafte 
enough  for  the  delicacies  of  friendship,  nor  knowledge 
to  entertain  a  lonely  hour  with  edifying  con  ver  fat  ion,' 
but  flies  to  the  bottle  and  his  mad  companions,  for 
pleasures,  which  it  is  not  in  her  power  to  bellow  ; 
whilft  fhe,  poor  creature  !  has  leifure  to  brood  over 
her  imprudence  and  misfortune  in  fiill,  domeftic 
fcenes,  having  learned,  but  alas  !  too  late,  that  rational 
and  durable  enjoyment  is  only  to  be  found  with  a  perfon. 
of  virtue,  principle  and  underflanding. 

For  my  own  part,  I  had  never  any  idea  of  fuch  ear* 
h  marriages.  If  this  girl  had  feen  the  world,  and  a  va- 
riety of  characters,  fhe  would  not  have  fubmitted  to 
fuch  a  connexion  ;    and  if  he  had  lived  fingle,  'til]  ho 


YOUNG     LADY.  137 

had  learned  the  extent  of  his  own  undemanding,  or 
the  nature  of  his  frivolous  and  criminal  habits,  he  would 
never  have  fuppofed,  that  mere  innocence  and  beauty 
would  have  fatisfied  his  vagrant,  and  Bcfritfous 
w idles  ! 

Befides,  what  knowledge  can  a  girl,  at  her  age,  have 
of  the  government  of  a  family,  or  the  arrangement  of 
dome/lie  concerns  ?  Servants  will  take  advantage  of  her 
inexperience ;  and  file  mull:  either  be  made  a  dupe  to 
their  artifices,  or,  from  a  narrow  fyftem  of  jealoufy 
and  fufpieion,  me  will  lofe  their  confidence,  and  be- 
come the  object  of  their  perfection. 

With  refpecl:  to  the  other  cafe  you  mention,  with  fo 
much  concern,  it  was  equally  probable.  People  may 
accuftom  themfelves  to  fpeak  lightly  of  religion,  in  or- 
der to  be  efteemed  men  of  fpirit,  and,  in  a  though  tlefs 
circle,  pafs  for  very  excellent  companions.  But, 'when 
a  man  has  z  family,  fuch  a  levity  is  infamous.  If  he 
believes  his  own  principles,  he  cannot  fail  to  be  mifer- 
able  ;  and  he  will  find,  that  the  fence  he  wifhes  to 
break  down,  is  that  which  guards  the  charlity  and  af- 
fection of  a  wife  ;  the  obedience,  morals,  and  attenti- 
on of  children  ;  the  refpecl:,  fidelity  and  principles  of 
fervants,  and  the  whole  of  his  affairs  from  finking  into 
a- terrible  ruin  and  confufion  ! 

The  general  caufe  of  fuicide,  is,  a  total  want,  or  an 

unfortunate  fluCluation   of  principle.        Without  the 

comforts  of  religion,  what  fupport  has  any  man  to 

lean  upon,  in  the  day  of  trouble  ?  If  a  perfon  accuf- 

M3 


138  L  S  T  I  * 

toms  himfelf  to  fceptical  reafoniogs,  he  believes,  by  de- 
grees, that  there  may  be  no  future  torments  for  the 
wicked  ;  and  if  he  can  once  bring  his  mind  to  this  un- 
warrantable perfuafion,  he  will  be  ready  to  lay  violent 
hands  upon  himfelf,  whenever  his  pride  is  hurt  by  any 
fanciful  degradation,  and  he  cannot  any  longer  fupport 
the  confequence,  for  which  he  has  been  diftinguifried 
by  his  fellow  mortals. 


LETTER.      XLIL 


i 


WILL  now  give  you  thedefcription  of  an  happier 
marriage.  I  have  been  fpendinga  few'days  in  a  fami- 
]y,  who  have  long  lived  in.myefieem,  and  of  whom 
you  have  often  heard  me  fpeak  in  terms  of  veneration. 

My  friendship  with  Eugenio  (for  fo  I  will  call  the 
gentleman)  was  formed  in  thofc  early  years,  when  un- 
fufpicious  hearts  vibrate  to  each  other,  without  ceremo- 
ny or  referve.  For  his  lady,  fo  foon  as  introduced  to 
her,  I  felt  a  very  ajfttnilafing  partiality.  We  mingled 
fouls  at  our  firft  meeting,  and  they  have,  never  fince, 
difcorded  for  a  moment. 

Eugenio  is  a  man  of  confiderable  learning,  and  frill 
greater  tafte.      In  every  thing  that  relates  to  polite 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  i3) 

knowledge,  he  has  not  many  fuperiors  in  his  age.  He 
is  complete  mafter  of  munc,  painting  and  poetry.  In 
architecture,  his  (kill  is  very  confiderable.  In  all  the 
phenomena  of  natural  hiftory,  he  is,  profcjf&dly,  a  con- 
noiiTeur.  The  beft  writers  of  Greece  and  Rome,  lie 
conitantly  on  his  table,  and  amufe  many  of  his  Ieifure 
hours. 

Nature  has  given  to  his  amiable  lady,  fuperior  un- 
derftanding,  which  has  been  improved  by  a  good  edu- 
cation, and  poliihed  by  the  bell  company  in  the  king- 
dom. Her  mother  was  one  of  thofe  uncommon  women, 
who  cfteemed  it  her  higheft  dignity,  to  be  herjdf  the 
nurfe  and  governefs  of  her  children,  and  taught  them 
to  mingle  accomplifhments  with  knowledge,  the  orna- 
mental  graces,  with  domefhc  afiiduity. 

I  will  leave  you  to  judge,  what  muft  be  the  confe- 
quenccs  of  fuch  an  union.  Think  how  Eugenio  muft 
have  improved  fuch  a  woman  !  Imagine  how  this  la- 
dy muft  have  bkjjecl fuch  a  man  ! 

In  this  family,  I  am  quite  in  my  element.  I  read, 
flroll,  think,  or  amufc  myfelf  without  cenfure  or  re- 
itrainf.  I  feel  a  fovereign  pity  for  the  world  of  fafhi- 
on,  an^  (  rget  that  there  are  any  charms  in  ambition, 
or  any  forrows  in  difappointment. 

Their  fortune  is  juft  what  it  mould  be,  for  folid 
contentment;  too  little  to  infpire  a  fantaftic  emulation 
with  the  manners  of  the  great  world  ;  too  large  to  ad- 
mit of  embarraflment  or  want.  It  is,  in  fhort,  nei- 
ther more  nor  lefs,  than  ^.ioco  per  annum.      Their 


r|o  LETTERS    to    a 

family  confifts  or  two  fine  boys,  and  one  girl,  who  is 
half  as  amiable,  and  diftinguifhed,  as  Louifa. 

Though  the  fafhionable  world  would  think  fuch  cir- 
cuinftances  narrow,  yet  that  economy,  which  can  do 
every  thing,  has  made  them  very  comfortable,  and  their 
entire  complacency  in  each  other's  company,  rich  in- 
deed !  They  do  not  diflipate  their  fortune  in  expcnfive 
journies  to,  or  by  refidence  in,  the  metropolis,  and  are 
too  happy  in  themfehes>  to  be  frequently  feen  in  any  o- 
ther  places  of  diffipa'tion; 

This,  my  dear  Lucy,  is  the  h'appieft  of  lives.  After 
eil  our  ambition,  and  all  our  ftruggles,  it  is  chiefly  in 
\\\zjhade,  that  we  muft  find  contentment.  The  plea- 
fures  there  are  calm  ;  they  are  pleafures  of  the  heart. 

Their  houfe  is  fituated,  at  two  miles  diftance  from 
2rconfiderab!e  town  in  the  county  of  — — — — ,  upon  an 
eminence,  which  commands  a  full  view  of  the  city, 
but  has  its  afpect  to  thofe  woods  and  fnades,  with 
which  its  owners  are  infinitely  more  converfant,  than 
the  more  noify  fcenes  of  diflipated  life;  Elegant,  but 
not  fuperb,  and  fpacious,  though  plain,  it  expreffes  the 
cultivated  tafte  of  its  inhabitants,  and  the  hofpitable  ' 
kmdnefsthat  reigns  within. 

The  pleafure  grounds  and  gardens,  are  in  that  un- 
ornamented  ftyle,  which,  to  me,  is  always  particularly 
pleafing.  Nature  has  not  been  wholly  facrificed  to 
ait,  nor  wildnefs,  to  refinement.  The  wildernefs  here 
and  there,  prefcnts  you  with  all  its  maggy  luxuriance, 
and  venerable  glooms.  You  rove  embofomed  in  woods 
and  thickets,  and  are  mingled  at  a  diftance  from  every 


YOUNG     L-A  D  Y,  141 

prying  eye,  in  thofe  filent  haunts  of  folitude,  which 
poetry  has  always  decked  with  its  charms.  Here  the 
hand  of  the  Creator  has  formed  a  grotto,  and  art  has 
not  deftroyed  it  ;  there  an  alcove,  and  the  pruning- 
knife  has  not  ojpcionfly  feparated  the  entwining  bran- 
ches. In  one  place,  a  little  fountain  murmurs,  at  its 
eafe,  and  nothing  has  attempted  to  divert  it  from  its 
original  channel.  In  another,  you  have  tufted  beau- 
ties, a  cafcade,  a  lawn,  an  hill,  or  a  valley,  beautifully 
interfperfed,  exactly  as  they  were  formed  by  the  hand 
of  nature,  in  one  of  thofe  more  fportive  moments, 
when  (he  wifhed  to  pleafe. 

Through  the  branches  of  a  beautiful  hanging  wood, 
which  lies  before  the  houfe,  you  defcry  the  flittering 
fpire  of  the  parifh  church,  belonging  to  the  village,  of 
which  Eugenio  is  the  patron,  and  a  very  exemplary 
clergyman,  the  prefent  incumbent.  It  is  placed  on  a 
r;fing  ground,  as  if  continually  afpiring  to  that  heaven, 
to  which  its  excellent  paftor  is  always  calling  the  affec- 
tions of  his  people.  It  is  built  in  that  gothic  ilyle, 
whiqH  I  always  mod  approved  in  this  facred  kind  of 
llrueture,  as  bed  adapted  to  infpire  the  mind  with  feri- 
oufnefs  and  devotion.  But  it  is  not  from  the  mere 
beauty  of  rhe  place,  or  the  delicioufnefs  of  its  fituatu 
on,  that  its  enviable  owners  derive  their  happinefs.-— 
They  expect  not  from  fhrubs  or  blofToms,  or  the  nio.'l 
enchanting  fecnery,  the  pleafures  of  the  heart.  They 
know,  that  the  richeit  profpe&s  would  foon  fade  upon 
the  eye,  if  they  did  not  derive  a  frefh  and  lively  bloom 
from  principle  w'.ihin, . 


4*  LETTERS    to    a 

In  an  age  of  levity,  this  happy  pair  are  not  afliamcd 
to  be  thought  religious.  They  are  perfuaded,  that 
their  blefhngs  could  have  no  permanency  or  relifh,  if 
unfanclified  with  the  fmile  and  protection  ot  heaven. 
Their  houfe  is,  in  face,  a  temple,  where  prayers  ancf 
praifes,  are  regularly  offered  up,  every  night  and  morn- 
ing, to  the  greut  Author  and  preferver  of  their  lives. 
Every  fervaot  is  required  to  attend  the  fervice ;  and 
they  are  all,  occafionaliy,  inftru&ed  in  their  duties  to  God 
and  man.  They  have,  likewife,  each  a  little  library 
of  devotional  tracts,  which  have  been  prefented  to 
them  by  their  generous  fuperiors.  I  had  the  curiofity, 
one  day,  to  examine  the  title  pages,  and  found  thero> 
principally,  to  confift  of  the  great  importance  of  a  Re- 
ligious Life;  Beveridge's  Private  Thoughts  and  Re- 
folutions  ;  Taylor's  Holy  Living  and'Dying  ;  Advice 
againft  fwearing,  drunkennefs,  profanenefs,  &c.  in  little' 
tracts  from  the  Society  for  promoting  Chriftian  Know- 
ledge ;  Wilfon  on  the  Sacrament  ;  the  Chriftian  Pat- 
tern ;  Henry's  Pleafantnefs  of  a  Religious  Life,  &c. 

It  wouM  delight  you  to  obferve  with  what  a  mixture 
of  love  and  reverence,  thefe  fervants  approach  their 
real  benefactors.  You  hear  nothing,  under  this  roof, 
of  thofe  feuds  and  animofities,  which  fo  much  embit- 
ter the  happtnefs  of  families.  "They  live  as  brethren 
together  in  unity."  The  only  contention  is,  which 
fhall  be  moft  ardent,  affiduous  and  vigilant  in  the  per- 
formance of  their  duty.' 

If  Maria  (Eugenio's  lady)  has  the Jligbte/l  indifpofi- 
tion,  you  might  read  it,  without  afldng  a  fyllable,  in' 


YOUNG      LAD  Y.  143 

the  anxious  looks  and  geftures  of  all  her  attendants. 
She  was  lately  confined  with  a  nervous  fever;  and  it 
would  have  aftonifhed  you  to  fee  the  unaffected  grief 
and  concern,  expreffed  in  their  looks.  "What  (faid 
"  they)  will  become  of  our  excellent  matter,  if  he 
"  mould  lofe  the  moft  amiable  woman  in  the  world  ?" 

The  piety  of  thefe  people  is  the  more  engaging,  be- 
caufe  it  is  always  cheerful  and  ferene.  It  proceeds 
from  reafon,  and  it  encourages  no  imnaiural  zufterity  or 
gloom.  It  is  mixed  with  fentiment ;  it  is  graced  with 
knowledge,  and  guided  by  difcretion.  Who  would 
not  pique  himfelf  on  a  friendship  with  fuch  a  family  ? 
Who  would  not  wifh  that  friendfhip  to  be  eternal  ? 

When  I  have  added  you  to  the  group,  I  fancy  myfelf 
in  poffeffien  of  almoft  every  thing,  that  mortality  can 
give,  and  wifh  only  the  continuance  of  my  enjoy- 
ments. 


LETT    E    R      XLUL 

J\/|_ANY  people  of  fortune  are  uncomfortable  in 
njarriage,  for  want  of  employment,  or  of  fomething  to 
give  an  intered  to  the,  otherwife,  infipid  uniformity  of 
the  fame  exxurfions,  vifits,  company,  or  entertain- 


144  LETTERS    to    a 

ments.  This  is  never  the  cafe  within  the  walls  of 
Eugenio.  He  is  always  introducing,  from  incidents,  as 
they  rife,  fome  ufeful  and  entertaining  topics  of  con- 
vention. A  news-paper,  books,  the  garden,  flowers, 
plants,  fhrubs,  hiftory,  the  azure  vault  of  heaven,  ftars, 
planets,  or  even  a  common  infeQ  furnifh  to  this  worthy 
family,  ample  fubjects  for  obfervation,  ever  edifying, 
and  ever  new.  His  lady  has  tafte  and  information  e- 
riqugh  to  enter  into  the  fpirit  of  all  thefe  defcriptions ; 
aod  the  general fcene  is,  not  a  little,  enlivened  by  the 
mode  in  which  they  treat  and  educate  their  children. 

My  good  friend  is  perfuuded,  that  public  education, 
as  it  is  generally  managed,  is  more  calculated  to  teach 
languages  and  fcience,  than  to  inculcate  principles  or 
morals  ;  and,  therefore,  keeps  his  Tons  at  home,  'till 
they  have  acquired  a  fufficient  flock  of  virtue  to  ferve 
them » as  an  antidote  againft  the  dangers  of  the  world. 
Thc^j  have,  however,  their  regular  fchool  hours  and 
excrcifes,  which  are  obferved  with  the  mod  undeviat- 
inj:  punctuality.  The  elder  of  the  boys  has  made  a 
confiderable  proficiency  in  the  Lr.t'm  language.  He 
lias  abridged  the  Englifh  and  the  Roman  hiftories,  and 
is  completely  veiled  in  heathen  mythology.  But,  a- 
bove  ail,  he  is  inftrudted  in  the  fundamentals  of  reli- 
gion, and  of  his  duty  to  God  and  man.  The  fcrip- 
tures  make  a  part  of  his  daily  reading,  and  the  fenfible 
parent  embelhlhes  them  with  fuch  a  number  of  Itri- 
king  obferyations,  as  greatly  intereft  the  curiofityy  and  rlx 
the  attention  of  his  unvitiated  pupil. 


YOUNG      LADY.  *45 

With  Rollin's  Belles  Lcttres,  and  the  Abbe  Millofs 
Elementes  fur  Fbifioire^  lie  is  perfectly  acquainted.  The 
latter  he  is  abridging ;  and  Telemachus  is  warmly 
.preffed  on  his  attention,  as  containing  thofe  immortal 
lefTons  of  virtue,  which  alone  can  dignify  any  character 
or  flat  ion.. 

Eugenio  has  been  at  the  pains  of  throwing  fele£fc 
parts  of  Seneca,  Marcus  Antonius,  and  the  Memora- 
bilia of  Xenophon  into  an  Englifh  drefs,  for  the  ad- 
vantage of  his  little  family.  He  has  fele&ed  a  fyftem 
of  Ethics,  and  almoft  of  Divinity,  from  the  entertain- 
ing works  of  Addifon,  Johnfon,  The  World,  kc.  and 
the  arrangement  is  fo  excellent,  that  it  ought  to  be 
made  public  for  the  benefit  of  mankind. 

The  firft  morning  that  I  fpent  under  this  happy  roof, 
I  was  awakened  from  my  (lumbers,  by  the  foft  harmo- 
nious voice  of  Mifs  — >— ,  who  was  chanting  to  the 

harpfichord,  an  early  hymn  of  gratitude  and  devotion 
to  her  merciful  Creator.  It  was  taken  from  the  Spec- 
tator. 

When  all  thy  mercies,  O  my  God, 

My  riling  foul  furveys  ; 
Tranfported  with  the  view,  I'm  loft 

In  wonder,  love  and  praife. 

The  whole  reminded  me  of  the  words  of  an  inge- 
nious poet : 

J'entends  encore  fa  voix,  ce  lanenge  enchanteur, 
Dt  ces  fons  fouverains  de  Forcille  et  du  cceim 

VOL.  11.  N 


1 46  LETT  ER  S   to  a 

Her  voice,  th'  enchanting  language,  ftill  I  hear, 
Th  >fc  foy'reign  accents  of  the  heart,  and  ear. 

This  is  her  conftant  practice,  every  morning,  at  fix 
o'clock  ;  and  it  has  the  happieft  effect  on  her  temper 
and  fpirits,  for  the  reft  of  the  day.  It  foothes  the  foul 
to  harmony,  and  cherimes  all  the  gentler  emotions. 

Immediately  after  this  was  finifhed,  the  lovely  girl 
took  a  walk  into  the  garden,  as  me  regularly  does, 
when  the  weather  will  permit,  to  obferve  the  gradual 
progfeis,  health  and  vegetation  of  her  plants  and  flow- 
ers. I  requeued  the  honor  of  attending  her,  and  was 
amazed,  young  as  fhe  is,  with  her  knowledge  of  na- 
tural hiftory,  and  with  the  judicious  remarks  fhe  made 
on  the  power  and  goodnefs,  on  the  wifdom  and  con- 
trivance cf  the  magnificent  Creator. 

Before  breakfaft,  Maria  (their  mother)  hears  all  the 
children  together  read  the  pfalms  and  lefTons  for  the 
day.  To  this  pious  exercife  I  was  not  invited  ;  but  I 
doubt  not,  it  was  a  fpecimen  of  female  eloquence,  def- 
easing on  the  vanity  of  every  thing,  but  devotion, 
and  glancing  at  the  dangers  and  temptations  of  the 
world. 

The  employment  of  this  good  family,  is  as  Ariel  as 
ufiialj  and  not  lefs  pleafing,  even  upon  Sundays. 

The  firfl  exercife  of  this  day,  after  the  accuftomed 
hymn  of  praife  to  their  Creator,  is,  to  abridge  a  fey/ 
pages  of  Wilfon's  Indian  Inftrucled,  or  of  Seeker's 
Lectures  on  the  Catechifm.  After  the  fervice,  all  the 
children  give  in,  to  the  beft  of  their  power,  an  account 


YOUNG      LADY.  147 

of  the  fermon  which  they  have  heard.  The  compa- 
nion of  their  different  merits,  is  pleafing,  and  the  very 
contefl  excites  emulation. 

When  this  is  finifhed,  their  father  inftru£b  them 
with  a  fhort  comment  on  the  le'flbns  for  the  day.  One 
happened  to  be  the  hiftory  of  Dives  and  Lazarus.  Very 
few  have  greater  powers  of  the  pathetic,  than  my 
friend.  He  brought  them  all  to  tears,  with  dwelling 
on  the  pitiable  circumftances  of  the  beggar^  and  poured 
this  leffon  into  their  foftened  minds,  that  riches  are  apt 
to  harden  the  heart,  and  have  no  real  dignity  or  ufe, 
but  as  employed  in  acls  of  mercy  to  our 'neighbour.  He 
gave,  to  the  parable  at  large,  a  new  and  fingular  afpeci. 
He  obferved,  that  luxury  had  led  Dives  to  unbelief, 
and  that  unbelief  had  plunged  him  into  hell. 

On  another  occafion,  he  dwelt  on  the  fcriptural  hi- 
ftory of  Haman.  In  him,  he  expatiated  on  the  un- 
certainty and  ficklenefs  of  all  outward  greatnefs,  and 
the  infufficiency  of  honors,  flat  ions,  popularity  to  con- 
fer any  real  happinefs  on  a  mind,  that  had  not  fubmit- 
ted  to  internal  government  and  the  difcipline  of  reli- 
gion. 

"  What  a  trifle  (faid  he)  deranged  this  great  man's 
enjoyment  !  Becaufe  a  poor  Mordecai  would  not  bow 
to  his  pomp,  his  honors  loft  their  flavour,  and  Iris  dig 
nities  their  charm;  his  fteep  went  from  him,  and  he 
refufed  to  be  comforted.  If  his  paiTions  had  been 
fubdued,  and  his  foul  regenerated  with  divine  grace,  he. 
N2 


14$  L  K  T  TERS   to  a 

would  have  been  contented  in  the  lowed  oblcurity.  A 
cottage  would  have  given  him  more  fatisfaction  than 
this  palace.  It  would  have  been  irradiated  with  hope, 
and  it  would  have  fmiled  with  divine  confolaticns." 

Eugenia  is  conftant  at  churchy  and  his  deportment 
there  is  an  excellent  pattern  to  all  its  dependents.  His 
features  are  marked  with  a  ferious  fervour,  and  a  cheer- 
ful dignity,  when  he  is  humbly  preferring  his  ampli- 
cations to  the  Author  of  his  being. 

You  will  be  charmed  to  fee  how  the  honed  peafants 
dwell  on  his  looks  !  what  eulogies  are  expreffed  in  eve- 
ry countenance  !  what  fervent  blefilngs  are  poured 
forth,  when  he  ftops  to  enquire  about  their  families 
and  concerns,  and  what  earned  wifhes,  that  his  man- 
fion  may  long  retain  him  for  its  owner,  and  that  his 
continuance  among  them,  may  be  lading  as  their  days  ! 

Not  behind  him  in  any  of  the  milder  virtues,  his 
confort  looks  up  to  him,  with  a  confeious  inferiority,  as 
the  pride  of  her  heart.  Blended  with  more  foftmfs^ 
her  piety  is,  if  poflible,  dill  more  engaging  ;  but  die 
feems  to  decline  all  'perfonal  confequence,  and  to  be 
wholly  abforbed  in  the  fuperior  ludre  of  his  character 
and  virtues.  She  receives  the  prayers  and  bleflings  of 
their  tenants,  as  if  only  due  to  the  man  e  f  her  affecti- 
ons ;  and,  though  the  zeal  of  the  populace  would  con- 
vey her  in  their  arm,  yet,  when  Eugenio  offers  his 
hand  to  lift  her  into  the  carriage,  her  eyes  fparkle  with 
peculiar  cheerfulnefs,  and  flrongly  exprefs  both  her 
love  and  gratitude  to  her  protector  and  her  friend. 


YOUNG    LADY.  1*9 

It  is  no  wonder  that  they  are  fo  much  admired.  No 
wonder  that  every  tongue  loads  them  with  bleffi.hgs. 
This  is  but  the  fpeculatlvc  part  of  their  piety  ;  the 
t>rafiical  is  more  ufeful  and  more  engaging.  They 
Jove  their  God  ;  they  love  their  Redeemer,  and  for  his 
fake,  they  go  about  doing  good.  Not  a  tenant  expe- 
riences an  uncomfortable  year,  but  he  receives  a  con- 
fiderable  abatement  in  his  rent.  Not  a  perfon  is  in- 
jured in  all  the  neighbourhood,  but  his  caufe  is  plead- 
ed, and  his  wrongs  are  redreiTed.  Not  an  old  man  ex- 
ifts,  but  he  has  fomething,  by  way  of  pen/ton^  from  this 
virtuous  family,  to  eafe  his  infirmities,  and  pillow  his 
declining  age.  Not  a  great  man  endeavours  to  take 
advantage  of  a  lelTer,  but  my  friend,  who  is  an  excel- 
lent lawyer,  undertakes  the  bufinefs,  and  expofeb  ti.c 
opprelTor  to  his  merited  contempt, 

Every  hour  that  Maria  can  fpare  from -her  particu- 
lar domeftic  employments,  is  fpent  in  making  garments, 
providing  cordials^phyfic  and  accommodations  for  the 
naked,  the  fick  and  indigent  ox  her  village  ;  and  there 
are  times  of  the  day,  in  which  you  would  conclude, 
from  the  vaft  concourfe  of  people,  that  their  houfe  was 
a  profeiTed  afylum  for  poverty  and  diiirefs. 

But  now  comes  out  the  great  fecret  of  their  hapftnefi  : 
rt  Alas  !"  faid  this  good  man  to  me,  one  night,  after 
kipper,  when  he  was  reviewing  the  actions  of  the  day, 
"  your  obliging  partiality  thinks  me  happy,  and  fo  in- 
"  deed  I  am.  In  the  tendernef;,  friendi'hip,  fidelity 
"  and  difcretion  of  my  Maria,  I  have  more  that  t 
Nj 


150  L  E  T  T  E  R  S     to   a 

"  treafures  even  of  a  world.  But  this  fweet  abode 
"  would  foon  ceafe  to  pleafc,  and  the  lovely  woman  lofe 
"  the  greater  part  of  her  charms,  if  we  were  not  both 
"  animated  with  chriman  fentiments,  and  if  we  did 
"  not  contrive  to  relieve  the  famenrfsj  and  to  dignify  the 
"  littlenefs  of  life,  by  the  activities  of  virtue.  That  di- 
"  vine  philanthropy,  which  is  the  effence  of  religion,  is 
"  the  fource  of  our  pleafures.  And,  when  I  drop  into 
"  the  grave,  I  fhall  have  but  one  fingle  wifh,  that  this 
"  amiable  guide  may  be  fpared  to  my  offspring,  and 
"  that  the  poor  may  pi  enounce  a  laft  panegyric  on  me, 
"  with  their  prayers  and  tears.  But  how  very  felrilh 
"  and  how  cruel  is  the  defire  !  What  would  become  of 
"  the,  then,  lonely  and  difconfolate  Maria  ?  Alas  !  con- 
"  tinually  together  in  this  retirement,  continually  en- 
tc  deared  by  growing  acts  of  tendernefs,  you  cannot 
"  think  how  very  much  our  liearts  are  united  !  But 
"  this  is  the  condition  of  all  human  happinefs.  The 
"  tenderer!:  love  muft  feel  the  bittereft  pangs  from  a  fe- 
"  paration.  It  is  the  decree  of  infinite  wifdom,  that 
"  this  world  mould  have  no  unmixed  fatisfa£tion,  to 
"  put  us  on  earnrflly  feeking  it  in  one,  which  is  unfad- 
tc  ing  and  eternal." 

Thefe  are  the  fentiments  of  as  fine  a  gentleman,  as 
the  age  can  boaft  ;  of  one,  who  would  do  honor  to 
the  politeft  circles,  and  has  power  to  charm  the  moh1 
improved  underfhndings.  But  that  gentleman  is  a 
chrijlian.  He  has  learned  to  facrifice  all  glitter  and  ac- 
complifhments,  at  the  banners  of  the  crofs.  And  this 
has  made  him  fo  charitable  a  landlord,  fo  active  a  pa- 


YOUNG      LADY. 


151 


tron,  fo  tender  an  hutband,  fo  agreeable  a  companion, 
fo  indulgent  a  parent,  and  fo  valuable  a  friend.  Read 
this,  ye  conceited  coxcombsy  who  fancy  that  the  charac- 
ter of  gentleman  confifts  in  levity  or  wkkednefs,  and 
blufh  at  your  miftake  ! 


LETTER       XL1V, 


1 


CANNOT  fully  fatisfy  your  enquiry.  So  far, 
however,  as  fcripture  and  reafon  will  be  our  guides,  I 
will  endeavour  to  accompany  you  into  the  pleafing 
fpeculation. 

To  you,  who  have  buried  fo  many  dear  and  amiable 
friends,  and  had  iojhort  an  enjoyment  of  them  here,  it 
is  natural  to  enquire,  what  you  may  fee,  or  know  of 
them  hereafter  ;  whether  you  mall  be  able  to  recognize 
departed  fpirits  after  death,  and  wherein  the  joys  of 
heaven  will  confift. 

It  is  plain,  from  facred  writ,  that  our  prefent,  earths 
fyy  will  be  changed  into  glorious  bodies,  and  our  fouls, 
as  it  were,  fublimed   or  re-?nodified,  as  neceflary  to  the 
enjoyment  of  future  blifs,  whatever  it  may  be.    Whilft, 
therefore,  we  are,  in  part,  compofcd  of  matter,  it  is  im- 


t52  LETTERS     to  a 

pofilble  that  we  mould  have  a  full  conception,  or  that 
any  a^z^' reprefentation  can  be  conveyed  to  us  in 
vjords,  of  the  real  nature  and  ejjence  of  fuch  pleafures, 
as,  in  fact,  are  only  adapted  to  minds  of  a  mucrrfupe- 
pior  texture,  and  bodies  of  a  more  celeftial  and  divine 
organization.  Thus  the  fcriptural  images  "  of  thrones, 
"  fceptres,  kingdoms,  of  mining  as  the  Mars  of  the  fir- 
"  mament,  of  being  clothed  in  white  robes,  and  hav- 
"  ing  palms  in  our  hands,  of  feeding  in  green  paltures., 
"  and  being  led  befide  living  fountains  of  waters,"  are 
not  to  be  underrtood,  as  conftituting  any  thing  of  the 
real  quality  of  future  happinefs,  but  as  imperfectly  fha- 
dowing  forth,  by  the  analogy  of  fenfible  objects,  joys., 
which,  both  in  their  nature  and  degree^  are  wholly  raif-  ' 
ed  above  our  prefent  comprehenfion, 

So  ftrong  and  literally  juft  is  that  pa/Tage ;  "Eye 
c<  has  not  feen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  has  it  entered  in- 
"  to  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  the  things,  which 
"  God  has  prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 

The  fame  idea  is,  in  fome  degree,  intended  by  St. 
Paul,  when  he  fays,  that,  "  when  carried  up  into  the 
lc  third  heaven,  he  heard  things,  which  it  was  impofli- 
K  ble  for  man  to  utter  ;"  he  had,  it  fhould  feem,  the 
Idea  of' them,  but  could  not  convey  it,  in  hu?nan  words, 
to  the  human  underftanding.  It  is  fufHcient  for  us  to 
know,  that  thefe  delights  will  be  of  a  Jpiritual  nature, 
proceeding  from  the  fupreme,  all-perfect  Spirit^  and  a- 
dapted  to  the  fulled  capacities  of  thofe  he  has  been 
pleafed  to  glorify  ;  that  they  will  be  exquifite,  as  un- 
bounded power  and  wifdom  and  goodnefs  can  b^ftow. 


YOUNG     LADY. 


*53 


and  lafting,  as  the  days  of  that  eternal  heaven,  in  which 
they  fpring. 

That  we  fhall  be  able  to  recognize  fpirits,  and,  a- 
mong  others,  thofe  of  our  neareft  intimates  after  death, 
is  probable,  from  the  very  nature  of  the  foul,  which  can- 
not be  fuppofed  to  lofe  its  corfcioufnefs  or  recoUcftiony 
whilft  the  bo'ly  is  fleeping  in  the  duft  of  the  earth — 
from  the  poffibility,  that  an  exquifite  part  of  future 
happinefs  will  arife  from  reviewing,  along  with  pnfent 
friends,  the  trials,  temptations,  and  forrows,  which  we 

overcame,  along  with  them,  upon  earth and,  more 

efpecially,  from  the  attributes  of  God,  which  feem. 
pledged  to  convince  us,  by  (as  it  were)  occular  demon- 
stration, that  thofe,  who,  we  are  well  affined,,  fufTered 
undefervedly,  in  various  methods  here,  are  rewarded 
hereafter ;  and  that  fome  guilty  perfons,  who  wanted 
no  profperities  in  this  world,  experience  all  the  horrors 
of  another. 

To  this  d»£trine,  there  is  but  one  weak,  and  ill- 
founded  objection ;  that  witneffing  the  mifery  of  friend.% 
if  they  died  in  a  finful  ftate,  mud  be  a  dreadful  abate- 
ment of  our  own  felicity.  That  is  impoiTible.  The 
affection  betwixt  relatives  here,  was  implanted  only  for 
temporary  purpofes,  and  will,  in  fome  cafes,  ceafc,  after 
death.  The  only  attachment,  lheny  will  be  (as  the  on- 
ly rational  one,  always  was)  to  fouls,  that  ajjimilate  in 
real  wifdom,  purity  and goodncfs.  We  mall  love,  in  our 
degree,  even  as  God  loveth,  not  with  the  weaknefs  of 
paffion  or  inftinft,  but  the  unchangeable  fublimity. of 
order.     "  They,  that  do  the  will  of  our  Father  in  hea- 


i"54  L  E  T  T  E  R  S    to    a 

"  ven,  will  be  our  fathers  and  brethren,  our  fitters  and 
"mothers." 

How  glorious  and  inexhauttible  a  fource  of  happi- 
nefs does  fuch  a  profpedt.  open  to  the  mind  !  With  what 
rapture  will  a  tender  mother,  who  left  a  number  or 
children  behind  her,  with  a  thouland,  anxious  appre- 
hensions for  their  fafety,  meet  them  in  heaven,  where 
their  innocence  is  crowned,  their  trials  are  finifned,  and 
their  eternal  happinefs  fecured  !  With  what  dutiful 
tranfports  will  children  embrace  the  religious  parent3 
to  whofe  counfels,  under  Providence^  they  owe,  consi- 
derably, their  prefent  glorification  !  And  what  delight 
mutt  it  give  both  parties,  to  reflecT:,  that  death  can,  no 
mor.1,  divorce  them  from  each  other,  nor  a  grain  of 
forrow  poifon  their  cup  of  blifs  !  Affectionate  brothers 
and  fitters,  unavoidably  fevered  here,  by  various,  impor- 
tant exigencies,  with  what  ardor  will  they  renew  their 
natural  connexion,  and  reciprocate  each  other's  joys ! 
Not  a  fear  to  rife  upon  their  future  profpecls,  not  a 
cloud  to  darken  the  celeftial  iky  ! 

Another  delightful  idea  of  heaven  is,  that  it  will 
bring  to  maturity  all  thofe  amiable  inftindts,  which  were 
planted  in  us  by  the  Deity,  whilft  we  were  on  earth, 
but  from  a  multitude  of  obftacles,  or  the  fhortnefs  of 
life)  could  not  attain  their  perfeclion. 

Our  ttrong  thirtt  for  happinefs,  it  is,  on  all  hands, 
allowed,  that  was  only  mocked  in  a  world  oijhadows^ 
will  be  fully  gratified  in  one  of  glory. 

It  will,  probably,  be  fo  with  our  paflion  for  know- 
ledge—friend  fliip — fociety— which,  when  properly  di- 


Y  O  U  N  G      LADY.  .155 

reeled,  are  equally  virtuous  and  ufeful  propenfities, 
and,  therefore,  alike  proceed  from  the  Author  of  every 
perfect  gift. 

How  eagerly  do  fome  men  thirft  after  knowledge, 
but  how  much  are  they  retarded  in  their  purfuit,  by 
the  imperfection  of  their  prefent  organs,  the  weaknefs 
of  their  bodily  frame,  .by  the  long,  loft  fpace  of  child- 
hood and  old  age,  by  the  want  of  books,  acquaintance, 
and  other  opportunities,  or  by  the  tranfitorinefs  of  life 
itfelf ! — or,  when  all  human  advantages  centre  in  one, 
privileged  man,  enlightened  as  he  may  fcem,  what  is 
liis  wifdom,  but  comparative  folly  ?  When  contracted 
with  the  immenfity  of  fcience,  and  the  inexhauftible 
.wonders  of  creation,  what  does  it  refemble,  but  a  grain, 
>n  atom,  a  drop  of  water,  or  a  particle  of  fand  on  the 
fea-fhore  ?  Here  we  fee  but  through  "  a  glafs  darkly." 
A  Newton  and  a  Locke,  after  all  their  improvements, 
felt  and  confeffed  this  poverty  of  foul. 

But  how  fublime  will  be  the  pleafures  of  this  interr 
courfe  in  heaven,  when  the  greater!:  men,  that  have  e- 
ver  lived,  are  all  collected  together  from  all  quarters  of 
die  world  !  When  there  are  no  little  envies,  jealoufies, 
interefts  or  bigotries,  to  interrupt  their  mutual  concord 
and  improvements!  nor  any  langour,  fatigue  or  dif- 
eafe  in  the  renovated  frame  !  When  the  Almighty 
mall  have  unlocked  all  the  treafures  of  his  wifdom,  all 
the  fecrets  of  his  government,  and  the  wonders  of  his 
grace !  When  the  foul  ihall  have  received  fuch  frefli 
and  fuperior  inlets  of  intelligence,  and  "  we  (hall  know, 
.even  as  we  are  known."     The  wondrous  page  of  na- 


156  LETTERS    to  a 

ture  will  then  be  plain.  The  book  of  Providence  will 
open,  in  the  mod  legible  characters,  on  the  enlarged 
mind.  That  myftery  of  redemption,  into  which  the 
very  angels  have  been  cefirous  :o  look,  will  be  unfold- 
ed, in  all  its  abyiTes  ;  and  the  confequence  of  fuch  dif- 
coveries,  muft  be  an  inexpreflible  fenfation  of  love,  a- 
ftonimment  and  rapture,  "  We  (hall  not  ceafe,  day  or 
"  night,  to  wormip  him,  that  fitteth  on  the  throne,  and 
"the  Lamb,  that  has  warned  us  from  our  fins,  in  his 
"  his  own  blood. " 

The  cafe,  in  all  probability,  will  be  the  fame  with 
friendjhip.  Friendship,  balm  of  this  uneafy  ftate  !  infpi- 
rer  of  virtuous  thoughts  and  counfels  !  medicine  of 
life!  (till  chequered,  ftill  imperfecl  upon  earth,  mixed 
with  caprice,  with  pafllon,  with  infincerity,  and  often 
chilled  by  death  (thoufands  of  congenial  fouls  prevent- 
ed by  feas,  mountains,  referve  of  fex,  bigotries  of  re- 
ligion, peculiarities  of  education,  from  ever  uniting)  this 
friendship  (ball,  there,  have  all  its  fulleft  poignancy,  and 
flourifh  in  immortal  bloom  !  The  amiable  of  all  ages 
and  nations  (hall  be  alTembled  together,  frailties  and 
death,  and  the  pojjtbility  of  feparation,  wholly  done^a- 
way  ! 

Think  only  of  the  expanfion  and  luxury  the 
mind  enjoys  from  unbofoming  its  pleafures  or  forrows 
to  a  perfon  upon  earth,  from  the  focial  glow  and  confi- 
dential converfation  !  and  imagine,  for  a  moment,  what 
this  privilege  muft  be,  where  all  around  us  are  friends, 
where  friends  are  angels— and  angels  are  continually 
imbibing  frelh  ftreams  of  knowledge,  of  purity  and 
graces  in  the  prefence  of  their  God  ! 


YOUNG     LAD  Y,  j57 

Oiit  fecial inftifl&y  likevrife,  will,  doubtlefs,  have  a 
fimilar  gratification.  People  are  drawn  together  into 
foeietia  on  earth,  by  a  (imilarity  of  taftes,  purfuits,  ha- 
bits and  improvements.  The  principle  is  natural,  and 
has  many  laudable  effects  ;  and,  from  the  nature  of  the 
human  foul,  which  will,  probably,  be  going  through 
fucceflive  (rages  of  improvement,  to  all  eternity,  may 
be  fuppofed  likely  to  continue  in  a  glorified  ftate. — 
Thus,  though  holinefs  and  purity  be  the akric  medium 
of  admijfion  into  thefe  bleffed  manfions,  yet  focietics 
may  be  formed  of  people  of  fimilar  improvements 
and  congenial  taftes  ;  of  holy  philofophers,  (fuppofe) 
naturalifts,  divines,  doubly  endeared  by  this  rcicm- 
blance,  and  carrying  their  various  refearches  to  per- 
fcftion,  in  a  world,  where  knowledge  is  totally  unob- 
ftructed,  and  in  the  prefence  of  him,  from  whom  a'l 
wifdorri  and  all  goodnefs  flow.  Whilft  the  different 
manfions  of  heaven  may  refemble,  on  this  principle, 
the  fcattered  groups  of  ftars  in  the  firmament,  and  acU 
minifter  that  charming  and  exquifite  variety,  which 
ieems  to  be  the  wonderful  plan  of  Providence  through 
the  whole  creation. 

Thus  much,  at  leaft,  may  be  fairly  inferred,  thai 
the  intellectual  improvements  we  have  made  bir:7  will 
not  pcrijh  in  the  grave.  We  mail,  doubtleft,  in  this 
refpect,  rife  with  the  fame  views  and  habits  of  thinking. 
with  which  we  died.  How  much  men,  at  preient,  dif- 
fer, from  this  caufe  alone,  fo  that  the  lia/l,  and  the  mofi 
enlightened,  almoft  appear  creatures  of  amiher fbedc:, 

VOL.  II.  O 


i$8  LETTERS    to    a 

needs  not  be  obferved.  And,  though  a  Boyle  or  a  Ba- 
con, would,  from  an  union  in  goodnefs  only,  be  happy 
iri  the  convention  of  the  mod  illiterate  faint,  yet,  on 
all  principles  of  analogy,  it  may,  reafonably,  be  prefum- 
ed,  that  their  blifs  could  not  fail  to  be  infinitely  heigh- 
tened by  the  fociety  of  thofe,  who*  like  them,  had 
[pent  a  whole  life  in  laudable  inveftigations. 

But  the  grand  idea  is,  that  the  "  great  I  AM  will  be 
prefent !"  He,  who  is  thefource  of  all  perfection  and 
bleffings  !  He,  who  can  open,  in  the  mind,  innumer- 
able avenues  of  inconceivable  enjoyment  !  Whofe  whole 
creation  is  but  a  ray,  emaning  from  the  plenitude  of 
his  happinefs  and  glory,  and  who  will  certainly  give 
his  children,  all  that  their  enlarged  faculties  can  admit, 
of  pleafure  and  fruition. 

Here  we  are  continually  mocked  with  the  appearance 
of  happinefs,  which,  on  trial,  is  always  found  check- 
ered with  ill.  Here  the  fweeteft  odour  has  attendant 
briars  ;  the  moit  delicious  landfcape  has  its  made  ;  the 
moft,  apparently,  fini/hed  enjoyment,  its  alloy.  Even 
the  fweet,  engaging  child  and  friend,  dear  to  us  as  our 
own  fouls,  bring  infeparable  anxieties,  and  a  thoufand 
unquiet  apprehenfions  for  their  health,  their  innocence 
and  peace.  Every  enviable  acquifition  is  followed  with 
its  trouble  ;  every  acceflion  of  fortune  or  intcreft,  with 
its  cares  ;  and,  in  the  height  of  feeming,  worldly  blifs, 
trouble,  (till,  will  find,  through  various  chinks,  its  mo- 
ments of  admiflion.  But,  in  heaven,  all  will  be  un- 
mixed, all  w-ii!  be  perfect,  all  will  be  ferene  ! 


YOUNG      LADY.  159 

Such  is  my  private  opinion  of  heaven.  Such  is 
the  paradife  of  my  imagination.  if  it  be  innocent,  I 
have  a  right  to  indulge  it  ;  if  you  think  it  viftonary, 
you  are  at  liberty  to  reject  it.  If  it  be  an  error,  it  is, 
at  leaft,  a  pleafing  one  ;  and,  if  it  lcrves  to  comfort  life, 
or  excite  us  to  any  laudable  improvements,  it  has  its 
ufes  in  fociety,  and  mutt,  ultimately,  promote  the  glory 
of  God. 

I  hope  it  is  true,  becaufe  time,  which  diflblves  all 
earthly  things,  is  ever  on  the  wing,  and  I  wifh  to  have 
my  intimacy  with  jw/,  perpetuated  through  immortal- 
ity. 


1 


LETTER      XLV. 


AM  truly  concerned  for  your  indifpofition.  Your 
nerves  are  relaxed,  and  your  fpirits  cannot  fail  to  be  af- 
fected in  proportion.  The  complaints  of  this  age, 
principally  arife  from  inactivity  and  over-indulgence. 
We  thwart  nature,  in  a  thoufand  initanccs,  and,  in  as 
many,  me  retaliates  the  offence. 

We  almoft  dijfohs  in  hot,  carpeted  rooms,  inflead  of 
continually  expofing  our  bodies  to  the  open  air.  We 
go  to  fleep,  when  we  fhould  be  rifing.  We  invent  ar- 
tif.cial  methods  of  provoking  an  appetite,  which  caa 
only  be  excited,  in  a  proper  manner,  by  labour  and  ap- 
plication. And  factitious  arnufements  are  vainly  bid- 
den to  create  thofe  fpirits,  which  lhould  arife  from  cx- 
ercife  and  air. 

02 


i6o  LETTERS 


TO      A 


This  may  anfwer  a  te?nporary  purpofe,  but,  in  the 
end,  it  would  deftroy  the  firmed  conftitution.  It  is,  in 
h%  undermining  the  very  ground  upon  which  wc 
ftand,  and  digging  a  premature  grave  under  our  feet. 

To  me,  who  follow  nature,  and  am  only  a  fpec"tetor 
of  the  hurtling  fcenes  around  me,  thefe  things  appear 
to  have  ferious  confequences.  When  I  look  at  fine, 
enervated  ladies,  I  tremble,  by  a  fort  of  involuntary  in- 
Ainft,  for  the  rifing  generation. 

What  a  vigilant,yv/^777tf/;V  care  did  the  ancient  legif- 
lators  beftow  upon  this  fex  !  To  give  them  an  healthy, 
vigorous  constitution,  and  to  confult,  in  particular  fttu- 
tions,  their  cafe  and  cheerfulnefs,  was  an  object  not  be- 
neath the  attention  of  thofe  heroes,  who,  by  their  va- 
lour and  their  talents,  governed  the  world.  • 

If  you  intend  to  have  any  comfort  yourfelf,  or  be  of 
any  fo'id  ufefulnefs  to  others,  you  muft  be  careful  "of 
your  health.  It  is  a  plant  that  requires  continual  nur* 
fipg,  and  without  the  greater!:  attention,  will  gradually 
die. 

You  muft  not  dilTolve  on  downy  pillows,  'till  your 
frame  is  almoft  thrown  into  convulfions.  You  mould- 
rife  with  the  dawn,  and  exercife  gently,  in  the  open  air, 
particularly  on  horfeback.  A  little  cheerful  company 
will  amufe,  and  keep  your  mind  from  preying  too 
much  upon  itfelf.  Too  much,  on  the  other  hand, 
will  oppr.fs  your  fpirits,  and  aggravate  your  complaints. 

Above  all,  if  you  wifh  a  removal  of  your  prefent- 
indifpofition,  you  muft  cautioufly  abftain  from  tea, 
particularly  in  mornings.     However  agreeable  this  be- 


YOUNG      LAD  V.  *6i 

vcrage  may  be,  it  is,  doubtlefs,  the  fource  of  weak 
nerves,  hyfterical  and  hypochondriac  affeclions,  and  of 
half  thofe  dreadful, paralytic  fymtoms,  which  have  late- 
ly become  fo  general  and  alarming. 

Inftead  of  languiflnng  in  elegant  rooms,  you  mould 
frequently  be  ftrolling  into  the  fields  or  garden,  if  you 
would  avoid  the  bitter  draught  of  an  apothecary,  or 
innocently  rob  the  phyfician  of  his  fee.  Your  diet 
mould  be  fimple  and  moderate,  confined  to  one  dim, 
and  that  rather  animal,  than  vegetable.  You  fhould 
eat  fparingly,  but  often,  and  "  ufe  a  little  wine  for  your 
ftomach's  fake,  and  your  often  infirmities."  The 
town  has,  doubtlefs,  contributed  to  your  diforder. — 
When  you  return  into  the  country,  its  pure  air,  I  truil, 
and  tranquil  fcenes,  will  confiderably  reftore  you.  Na- 
ture never  intended  fuch  multitudes  of  people  to  be 
crowded  together,  and  breathe  the  infinite,  noxious  ef- 
fluvia of  great  cities.  They  are,  in  facl,  the  graves  of 
mankind.  We  may  exift  in  them  for  a  time  ;  but  it 
is  only  in  the  country,  that  health  has  any  thing  of  its 
natural  vigour,  or  life,  of  its  enjoyment. 

Do  not  tamper  with  your  confhtution.  The  whole 
power  of  medicine,  in  your  cafe,  does  not  afford  the 
ihadow  of  relief.  Diforders  of  this  kind  baffle  all  the 
penetration  of  the  medical  fraternity.  When  they 
pronounce  our  cafe  nervous,  it  is  only  faying,  in  fo  ma- 
ny words,  that  they  cannot  give  us  any  adequate  affift- 
ance. 

o3 


LETTERS    to    a 

The  ture,  form,  or  texture  of  the  nerves,  arc, 

8  day,  by  no  means,  clearly  afcertained,  or  fully 
underftood.  Perhaps,  they  compofe  that  fubtil  and  a- 
mazing  union  of  body  and  foul,  of  matter  and  fpirit, 
which  eludes  all  enquiry.  When  they  are  difordered, 
I  know  no  method,  but  to  avoid  all  extremes,  to  fly 
into  the  country,  and  keep  the  mind,  if  pbffibley  cafy 
and  ferene. 


LETTER      XLVI. 


i 


F  I  had  the  opportunity,  it  would  give  me  great 
pleafure  to  be  of  your  party  to  Bath.  I>ut,  indeed,  I 
am  quite  fixed  and  ftationary  here  ;  unable  to  move, 
or  vifit  even  my  neareft  friends.  Every  day  brings,  a- 
long  with  it,  a  train  of  engagements  ;  and,  almoft  eve- 
ry hour,  fubftantial  duties,  that  cannot  be  omitted. 

Nature,  at  times,  is  difpofed  to  repine,  and  think 
fuch  confinement  an  intolerable  hardfhip,  'till  I  begin 
to  reflect,  that  all  durable  pleafure  is  derived  from  em- 
ployment, and  that  the  only,  real  dignity  of  life,  confifis 
in  doing  good. 

They,  who  are  continually  in  motion,  and  varying 
the  fcene,  are  nor,  that  I  can  difcover,  more  fatisfied 
than  myfelf.  They  carry  their  private  burdens  along 
with  them,  over  hills  and  mountains  ;  and,  when  they 
have  exhaufted  the  whole  circle  of  pleafures,  (till  there 
is  a  great  void  in  the  foul. 


YOUNG      LADY.  ,63 

I  was  once,  for  five  weeks,  at  Bath,  and  recollect  it, 
with  a  mixture  of  gratitude  and  pleafure.  It  was  par- 
ticularly ferviceable  to  my  health  ;  and,  on  the  whole, 
made  impremons  on  my  mind,  that  will  never  be  era- 
fed. 

This  very  ride  to  this  place,  will  amazingly  revive 
you.  Worceftermire,  at  this  feafon  of  the  year,  is  one 
grand  magnificent  garden,  whofe  air  is  perfume,  whofe 
fcenery  is  bloflbms,  and  whofe  walls  are  the  fpacious 
canopy  of  heaven.  If  you  make  Briftol  in  your  way, 
I  dare  promife,  that  your  curiofity  will  be  amply  gra- 
tified, by  a  fight  of  that  ancient  and  extenfive  city. — 
Though  the  place,  in  itfe/fc  is  low  and  dirty,  yet  the  ad- 
jacent country  is,  perhaps,  the  moft  picturefque  and 
beautiful  in  Britain.  Clifton  Hill  is  delicioufly  ro- 
mantic ;  on  one  fide,  commanding  a  full  profpect.  of 
the  city,  and  looking,  on  the  other,  towards  that  mag- 
nificent ocean,  which  brings  the  inhabitants  all  their 
merchandize  and  riches.  At  the  foot  of  this  eminence, 
you  will  defcry  the  medicinal  fpring  of  the  hot- wells, 
fo  celebrated  for  their  efficacy  in  confumptive  cafes. — 
Here  you  will  be  ihocked  with  a  number  of  walking 
flteletonsy  who  are  yellow  with  fieknefs,  dying  of  con- 
fumptions,  and  breathing,  in  their  fighs,  the  emptinefs 
and  vanity  of  all  human  things.  Thus  is  no  human 
pleafure  to  be  unmixed  ;  and  thus  are  thorns  to  be  en- 
twined with  the  rofe. 

King's  Wefton  Hill,  in  the  environs  of  this  place, 
has  lately  been  celebrated  by  a  poet.  But  the  copy 
comes  not  up  to  the  original.  Nature  has  painted  better 


164  LETTERS    to   a 

than  the  bard.  It  is  vifited  by  all  Grangers,  not  only 
for  its  own  magnificent  beauties,  and  wonderful  fcene- 
ry,  but  as  an  opportunity  of  beholding  the  fea,  which 
here  opens,  all  at  oncevin  a  grand  and  unexpected  ex- 
panfion,  on  the  aftonifhed  eye.  If  you  are  fortunate 
enough  to  have  a  fine  day,  you  cannot  behold  a  more 
fublime  or  ftriking  curiofity. 

When  you  arrive  at  your  journey's  end,  every  thing 
will  delight  you,  Regular  ftreets,  magnificent  build- 
ings, fumptuous  public  rooms,  delightful  profpecls, 
walks,  hills,  vallies,  fountains,  gardens,  company,  a- 
mufements — all  will  proclaim  that  you  are  at  Bath. — 
You  will  feel,  that  this  is  the  paradife  of  Britain  ;  and 
that  the  goddefs  of  health  has  here,  more  particularly, 
fixed  her  abode.  The  mind,  it  is  true,  carries  its  fe- 
cret  burdens  with  it,  into  every  fituation  ;  but  I  know 
no  place  more  calculated  to  efface  melancholy  impref- 
fions,  or  do  away  the  bad  effects  of  over  exertion.  The 
waters  are  a  wonderful  cordial  to  the  ftomach,  and  a 
powerful  remover  of  that  indigeftion,  which,  to  the 
ftudious  and  the  fair,  of  fedentary  lives,  is  become  fo 
very  general  a  complaint ;  and  the  mind,  infenfibly, 
lofes  its  little,  fanciful  burdens,  in  the  general  gaiety  and 
fprightlinefsof  the  fcene.  There  are,  it  muft  be  con- 
fefTed,  many  invalids ;  but  there  are,  likewife,  multi- 
tudes of  young  people  of  both  fexes,  whofe  manners 
are  very  highly  engaging,  and  whofe  faces  wear  a  per- 
petual fmile. 

The  amufements,  to  which  you  are  admitted,  at  a 
very  moderate  expenfe,    are  conducted  with  the  Ariel:- 


YOUNG     LADY.  165 

«ft  order  and  decorum  ;  and  in  the  charms  and  fplen- 
dor  of  a  ball,  as  it  is  managed  here,  one  would  be  led 
to  fancy,  that  life  was  wholly  cbmpofed  of  pleafi  .c,  it 
it  did  not  occur,  that  all  this  brillir.nt  throng  ha*  -  their 
private  vexations,  and  the  heart  its  ownbitternefszt/r/;/ •. 

The  Abby  church  pleafes  me  more  than  aimoft  any 
facred  edifice,  1  have  fcen  in  the  kingdom,  [t  has  not 
the  grandeur  and  magnificence  of  fome  others,  but  it  is 
more  calculated  for  ufe,  and  yields  to  none,  in  elegance 
and  neatnefs. 

Lady  H -'s  chapel  is  vifited  by  all  Grangers,  as  an 

elegant  curiofity  of  the  folemn  kind  ;  more,  perhaps, 
from  the  melody  and  fweetnefs  of  the  unging,  than 
motives  of  devotion.  The  good  woman,  probably 
founded  it  in  this  bolbm  of  pleafure,  with  a  view  of 
calling  finners  of  diftinclion  to  repentance.  Her  inten- 
tion was  amiable  ;  and  her  piety,  though  grounded  on 
the  narrow  and  intolerantprinciples  of  Calvin,is  entitled 
to  refpecf.  When  people  openly  give  their  money,  zeal, 
talents  and  labour  to  any  ca'ufe,  we  may  trtfft  theiryw- 
cerity.  Nor  ihould  criticifm  expofe  the  little,  involun- 
tary errors  of  thofe,  who  fcrupulouily  act  up  to  the  dic- 
tates of  their  confeience,  and  have  thus,  literally,  u  left 
all  and  followed  Christ." 

Lady  H ,  it  is  faid,  has  much  injured  her  private 

fortune,  by  her  religious  gpnerbfity  ;  hi  building  cha- 
pels, fupporting  preachers,  and  many  other  public  and 
private  donations,  Prudence,  furely,  did  not  warrant 
fo  extravagant  a  facritice.  But  it  is  not  neceffary  to 
expofe  a  conduct,  which  fo  few  will  ever  be  difpofed  to 


166  LETTERS   to    a 

imitate.  Over-rightccufnefs,  is  not,  by  any  means,  the 
fin  of  this  age. 

I  was,  indeed,  not  a  little  difgufted  with  the  preach- 
er of  the  evening,  on  which  I  happened  to  be  at  her 
iadyfhip's  chapel.  His  difcourfc  was  a  violent,  inflam- 
matory harangue,  without  elegance,  reafoning  or  con- 
nexion ;  and  confifted,  for  the  greater  part,  of  a  fevere 
abufe  of  the  eftablifhed  clergy.  We  are,  perhaps,  too 
languid  and  remifs  in  the  difcharge  of  our  duty  ;  but 
toexpofe,  with  virulence  and  rancor,  is  not,  furely,  the 
method  to  reform  us.  Declamation  or  fatire,  irritat&s. 
It  is  folid  argument  alone,  mixed  with  love  and  gen- 
tlenefs,  which  foftens  and  converts. 

Thefe  people  have  not  the  gracefulnefs  of  piety.— 
They  difplay  not  in  their  looks  or  manner,  or  cenfuresy 
the  "  beauty  of  holinefs."  A  fevere  critic,  perhaps, 
would  accufe  them  of  fpiritual  pride,  and  give  them 
this  motto,  "  Stand  from  me,  for  I  am  holier  than 
thou.'*  Their  preachers  appear  deficient  in  ge- 
neral knowledge.  They  do  not  ftudy  force  of  argu- 
ment, or  embellimments  of  ftyle.  They  are  not,  in- 
deed, without  zeal  ;  but  it  is  wild,  extravagant  and 
frantic.  They  do  not  feem  "  pityful  or  courteous,  or 
to  be  poffefled  of  that  charity,  which  thinketh  not  evil." 

The  greateft  difgrace  to  Bath,  are  the  gambling  parties 
at  the  lower  rooms.  Would  you  believe  it  poflible  ? 
You  may  fee  people  of  the  firft  diftin£tion,  who  are 
actuated  with  the  infernal  rage  of  play,  mixing  with  a 
fet  of  the  very  loweft,  mercenary  (harpers  !  One  would 
fuppofe  that  their  pride  and  tafte  alone,  would  not  fubmit 


YOUNG     LADY.  167 

to  fuch  a  degradation.  But  fo  little  is  all  ftation,  when  it 
has  forgotten  its  real  dignity  ;  fo  groveling  is  the  hu- 
man mind,  when  it  has  loit  fight  of  the  true  fource  of 
happinefs,  and  "  is  hewing  out  for  itfelf,  broken  cif- 
terns,  that  can  hold  no  water  !"  Even  Chefterfleld 
himfelf,  with  all  his  parade  of  graces,  was  a  dupe  to  this 
mod  abominable  pradtice  ! 

The  Avon,  which  runs  through  this  city,  filled  me 
with  great  ideas.  Shakefpeare,  Stratford,  the  Jubilee, 
immortal  talents,  and  immortal  fame,  rufhed  into  my 
mind,  as  often  as  I  faw  its  foft,  flowing  dream,  roll 
filently  along. 

I  mould  wifh  you  to  take  a  view  of  Prior  Park,  as  a 
place,  which  has  fo  long  been  facred  to  fcience  and  the 
mufes.  The  late  Mr.  Allen  was  the  Maecenas  of  his 
times.  You  cannot  tread  the  ground  about  it,  without 
recollecting  many  of  thofe  celebrated  wits,  who  were 
often  invited  to  this  hofpitable  retreat,  and  entertained 
its  pofTeflbr  with  all  that  luxury  of  tafte,  and  lufcious 
flow  of  foul,  which  genius  infpires. 

A  great  character  ftamps  an  immortality  on  the 
places  he  frequents,  or  the  houfes  he  inhabits.  Prior 
Park  will  be  remembered,  when  its  elegance  is  moul- 
dered. Fancy  will  plant  a  laurel  round  this  manfion  of 
tafte,  which  will  continue  to  be  green,  when  the  man- 
fion itfelf  (hall  have  crumbled  into  atoms. 

You  will  much  oblige  me  by  a  frequency  of  letters, 
whilft  you  are  at  Bath.  They  will  improve  your  own 
talent  at  the  defcriptive.  To  me  they  will  give  a  more 
lively  recollection  of  pleafurcs,  which  I  once  enjoyed. 


1 68 


LETTERS,    Zrc 


They  will  retrace  upon  my  mind,  agreeable  fcenes  and 
images,  which  I  have,  formerly,  beheld.  They  will 
intereft  an  heart,  that  always  vibrates  to  your  pleafures 
or  your  pains.  They  will  relieve  fpirits,  that  are  too 
much  oppreffed  by  a  variety  of  thoughts.  JVbilfi  I 
read  them,  I  mall  forget,  that  I  had  ever  a  complaint, 
or  that  I  ever  was  unhappy. 


NAME 


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{j^j*  Tbofe  without  any  Town' s  name  annexed, 
belong  to  Newburyport. 


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